The Armor of GodSample

The gift of righteousness

“...having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14)

A breastplate protects a soldier’s heart – which metaphorically is the residence of one’s emotions.

The “breastplate of righteousness” is therefore meant to protect our feelings. All too often, Satan tries to lead us astray. On the one hand, we can become proud of ourselves: see how good a Christian I am; God will surely be pleased with me! On the other hand, some may have difficulty trusting that Jesus has really saved them: I am such a wretch… could God really love me? Can I really be sure of my salvation?

The protection against these misleading emotions is Christ’s righteousness. Our salvation does not depend on ourselves, but only on the righteousness God imputes on us! “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin [that is Jesus Christ], so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Martin Luther called this “the great exchange”: Jesus takes our sins, we get his righteousness. That’s how believers stand right with God – no matter what the devil tells them.

Have you accepted Jesus’ righteousness as a free gift of God?