Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness

Introduction

Ever since the fall of Adam, the world we live in has been the enemy of righteousness. All the way back in 900 BC, Solomon said, “I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness” (Eccl 3:16).

Today the same is true; our culture and society have increasingly lost their moral compasses.

Just three weeks ago, iOS 15.4 debuted with new emojis. One of which is a “pregnant man.” An oxymoron. That is just the tip of the iceberg. You know full well that we live in the end times and the world is full of wickedness.

In fact, perhaps you find yourself confused or discouraged by it all.

Maybe you want to do what is right, but there are so many complicated problems in this day and age. How are we supposed to know for sure what is right and what is wrong? Who decides?

Maybe you want to do what is right, but the scope and magnitude of evil around us is just overwhelming. Does it even matter whether what I do is right or wrong? What difference will it make?

Maybe you want to do what is right, but you just feel stuck. Perhaps you wish your car was as durable as your sins. They just keep clunking along no matter how hard you try to get rid of them.

Our text points for this evening the way to answers for these concerns Throughout Scripture, there are approximately 350 verses that address righteousness. We’re going to do a supersonic flyby to investigate, just peeking at less than 10% of them so that we can see the scope of what righteousness is, why it matters, and how we can practice it.

Let’s read the current section of Ephesians 6:10-17, and we’ll focus particularly on the second half of verse 14.

Tonight we will consider the nature of righteousness to determine what it is, we will seek to appreciate the value of righteousness so we know why it matters, and then we will study how to cultivate the growth of righteousness in our own lives. Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, and trust His Word. It has answers!

Consider the nature of righteousness

Eph 6:14, "Stand firm… having put on the breastplate of righteousness”

Should we interpret this righteousness as our own or Christ’s?

This section begins with a command to stand firm

The expectation is that we would stand firm throughout our entire life after salvation

We are not being commanded to get saved and thereby put on the righteousness of Christ

This text assumes we have already been saved and recruited, so now we are being trained

We are being commanded to defend ourselves in spiritual warfare by imitating Jesus’s active righteousness

We can do this, but only insofar as we are “strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength” (v. 10)

The nature of righteousness in our speech and our conduct is characteristically…

[Noble, upright, true, straightforward, right] Prov 8:6-9, Lady Wisdom says, “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal upright things. For my mouth will utter truth… All the words of my mouth are in righteousness… They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.”

[Just] Gen 18:19, “For I have known him, so that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of Yahweh to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” 2 Sam 8:15 & 1 Chr 18:14 “So David reigned over all Israel; and David was doing justice and righteousness for all his people.”

55 occurrences of ‘justice’ NEAR ‘righteousness’

Justice seems to be limited to government law and public life in society while righteousness is a comprehensive way of dealing personally with God and other people.

The nature of righteousness is the opposite of…

[Lawlessness] 2 Cor 6:14 Paul declares, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

[Wickedness, twistedness, crookedness] Prov 8:7-8, Lady Wisdom also says, “Wickedness is an abomination to my lips… There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.”

[Deceit, fraud, crookedness] Ac 13:10 Elymas, the magician, opposes Paul on the island of Cyprus, and Paul rebukes him, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?”

[Treachery, lust] Prov 11:6, “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the treacherous will be captured by their own desire.”

Case study in Job 31

Job was “was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1). After arguing his case unsuccessfully with his friends, Job presents a signed legal brief to God in which he catalogues his righteousness, pleading “Let Him weigh me with just [righteous] scales, And let God know my integrity.”

[vv. 5-6] Walking diligently in the truth <> worthlessly pursuing deception

[7-8] Being content in your allotment <> slyly turning aside for theft

[9-12] Staying home to enjoy your wife <> lying in wait at another man’s doorway

[13-15] Dealing fairly with your slaves <> rejecting justice for their complaints

[16-23] Providing hospitably for the poor <> withholding your food and possessions

[24-25] Trusting in God for your provision <> putting your confidence in financial wealth

[26-28] Worshiping God as the Creator of all <> throwing kisses to the sun or moon

[29-30] Seeking the good of those who hate you <> rejoicing when he suffers and dies

[31-32] Opening your home to strangers <> shutting the door and leaving them hungry

[33-34] Confessing and repenting of your sin <> hiding your sin because you fear man

[38-39] Prospering honestly with hard work <> prevailing at the expense of others

From Job’s oaths, we can confirm that righteousness is a comprehensive way of dealing personally with God and other people. He was not talking about justice in the government or society, he was talking about personal responsibility.

Summary: Consider the nature of righteousness

Righteousness in our speech and conduct is characteristically noble, upright, true, straightforward, right, and just. It is opposed to all that is lawless, wicked, twisted, crooked, deceitful, fraudulent, treacherous, and greedy. From Job’s example, we learn that righteousness is the *right way to order our personal dealings with God and other people. Furthermore, as with all things that can be done a right or wrong way, we must determine what is “right.” Since God is the Creator and Ruler of the entire universe, that means we must base our standard of “right” on his stated will.

Appreciate the value of righteousness

Eph 6:14, "Stand firm… having put on the breastplate of righteousness”

1) Righteousness is valuable because it pleases God

Eze 14:12-14, Yahweh speaks of “four calamitous judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague” and he makes his point emphatic by adding that “even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves.” They were renowned for righteousness.

Noah, protected from the flood, Gen 6:5-10, “Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among those in his generations.” 2 Pet 2:5 even calls Noah “a preacher of righteousness”

Daniel, protected from rules and officials, Dan 1:8-9, “But Daniel set in his heart that he would not defile himself… [and] God granted Daniel lovingkindness and compassion before the commander of the officials,” AND Dan 6:22, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have done no harm.’”

Job, protected from Satan and men, Job 2:3, “And Yahweh said to Satan, ‘Have you set your heart upon My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity. So you incited Me against him to swallow him up in vain.’ AND Job 42:7, “Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.”

David, protected from Saul, Ps 18:24-26 “Therefore Yahweh has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands before His eyes. With the kind You show Yourself kind; With the blameless You show Yourself blameless; With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute.”

In all four examples, favor with God involved great suffering and eventual prosperity. The same is true of our life now and in eternity. Perhaps we will have a taste of blessing in this life, but perhaps we will not. Still, we seek to please God.

An Important Caveat

Righteousness is valuable because it pleases God; however, it cannot obtain our salvation. In fact, apart from the justifying righteousness of Christ received by the gift of faith, Isaiah 64:6 says “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” Once hospital sheets are defiled by a patient’s body fluids, nobody wants them. Not even if they are nice quality. Yahweh holds out hope to us, though, by promising, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow” (Isa 1:18). After our sheets are cleansed, then the size, materials, thread count, and color all matter.

2) Righteousness is valuable because it promotes peace

[Circumstantial] Jer 22:15-16, God speaking of King Shallum, the son of King Josiah, while he was in exile for his sin, “‘Did not your father [Josiah] eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?’ Declares Yahweh.”

[Societal] Isa 32:1, 15-18, Millennial kingdom when Israel is restored, “Behold, a king will reign righteously And princes will rule justly… the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high,… And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and security forever. Then my people will live in a peaceful abode, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places;” (if they can live like this in the Old Jerusalem, what will it be like in the New Jerusalem?)

[Relational] Rom 14:17-19, Paul speaking of our conscience, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is pleasing to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

An Important Caveat

Righteousness is valuable because it promotes peace; however, it does not guarantee peace. In fact, Eccl 7:16 goes so far as to say, “Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you make yourself desolate?” In context he also cautions against being excessively wicked or foolish, and he notes that he has seen righteous men die young while wicked men lived to old age. The dilemma this presents is that while being righteous promotes peace, it is also true that it is not always able to obtain peace. Consider Job’s suffering for instance; and also remember that Jesus blessed those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness (Mt 5:10). Solomon’s point in Ecclesiastes is that we should not be so fastidious about our righteousness that we try to put God in a box and tell him what he may do with us. There is value in righteousness because it promotes peace, but we cannot forget that we are still at war with our flesh, the world, and the devil. Until we are free from them in glory, our peace will be constantly interrupted.

3) Righteousness is valuable because it protects our heart

Gen 30:33, Jacob to Laban, “So my righteousness will answer for me later, when you come concerning my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, will be considered stolen.”

Ac 2:36-37, Peter is preaching in Jerusalem to the crowds at Pentecost, ‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ⁠—this Jesus whom you crucified.’ Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men, brothers, what should we do?’”

1 Pet 3:14-16, “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,… having a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.”

An Important Caveat

Righteousness will protect our heart, but only when our conduct is actually righteous. This is why we are commanded to put on the breastplate of righteousness—it is possible that we may sometimes go to war without it, only to be painfully wounded when our sins are brought to mind. In addition, it is also likely that we will at times sin in ignorance, only to have it brought to our attention later. Between sins of commission, omission, and ignorance, we simply cannot rely on our own righteousness to vindicate us on the day of judgment. Only Christ’s will do. However, we can guard our heart from great sorrow over sin by conducting ourselves uprightly in our relationships with both God and man.

Summary: Appreciate the value of righteousness

Righteousness in our speech and conduct is valuable because it pleases God, promotes peace, and protects our heart. It cannot replace the righteousness of Christ for salvation, it does not guarantee constant earthly peace, and there will still be times when we regret our sin. However, practicing righteousness does defend our heart from the pangs of regret, tend to establish harmony in our relationships, and bring joy to God as he sees his children walking in the truth.

Cultivate the growth of righteousness

Eph 6:14, "Stand firm… having put on the breastplate of righteousness”

We know what righteousness is, and we know we want it. Now how do we get it? How do we put it on?

1) Cultivate righteousness by avoiding corrosive behavior

[Wanting to get rich, love of money] 1 Tim 6:11, “But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness.”

[Disputing about words, godless and empty chatter, foolish and ignorant speculations, quarrels] 2 Tim 2:22, “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace”

[Turn off the news] Isa 33:15b, “He who walks righteously and … stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil”

Keeping your breastplate from getting rusted.

2) Cultivate righteousness by studying God’s Word

[Delight] Isa 51:7-8, “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My law”

[All Scripture] 2 Tim 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”

[esp. Proverbs, stated purpose] Prov 1:3, “To receive discipline that leads to insight, Righteousness, justice, and equity,”

[explicit roadmap] Pr 2:1-5, 9, “My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures… Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.”

Reinforcing your breastplate for extra protection.

3) Cultivate righteousness by obeying God’s commands

[Promptly] Isa 16:5 “And a throne will be established in lovingkindness, And a judge will sit on it in truth in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice And be prompt in righteousness.”

[Constantly] Ps 106:3, “How blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!”

[Submissively] Rom 6:16 “Do you not know that when you go on presenting yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”

[Blamelessly] 2 Sam 22:22-25, “For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, And have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me, And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also blameless toward Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. Therefore Yahweh has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness before His eyes.”

Getting your breastplate in position and strapped down.

4) When you sin, cultivate righteousness by being cleansed and trained

[Be cleansed] 1 Jn 2:1, “if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” 1 Jn 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

[Be trained] Heb 12:11, “all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Repositioning your breastplate and tightening the straps.

5) Cultivate righteousness by meditating on the life of Jesus

[Purpose of Christ’s death] 1 Pet 2:20-24, “If when you do good and suffer for it, you endure, this finds favor with God. For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps, who did no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; who being reviled, was not reviling in return; while suffering, He was uttering no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. Who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that having died to sin, we might live to righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.”

[Not optional] 1 Jn 2:29, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who does righteousness has been born of Him.” 1 Jn 3:10 “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested: everyone who does not do righteousness is not of God, as well as the one who does not love his brother.”

Looking in the mirror to make sure everything is okay.

Summary: Cultivate the growth of righteousness

For the believer who already knows and desires righteousness, the hardest part is doing it, putting it on as our text says. We know off the bat that we should avoid corrosive behavior like trying to get rich, disputing and quarreling with one another, or filling our mind with reports of wickedness and evil. Having gotten out of immediate danger, then we need to apply ourselves to the study of God’s Word, and especially the portions of it that deal with upright living (like Proverbs). As we grow in our understanding of the truth, then we should practice obedience to God’s commands promptly and constantly so that our hearts will be trained in submission and become blameless. Nonetheless, at times we will fall into sin, and so we must go quickly to Jesus as our advocate so that we may be cleansed from all unrighteousness and trained to bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness. As our righteous advocate, Jesus is our model for righteousness, and we should constantly be looking to him in order to learn how to practice it more effectively.

Conclusion

We have surveyed the nature and value of righteousness, and we have studied how to cultivate it. Let us put on this breastplate. Let us stand firm. Let us look to Jesus Christ the righteous, our Advocate with the Father. In his strength and by his might, let us be righteous so that we may please him, promote peace, and protect our hearts.