On a rather long road trip yesterday I heard a piece of a sermon by Chuck Swindoll, and The Holy Spirit started sharing with me on The Breastplate of Righteousness, hopefully I have listened well enough to share with you the details adequately and accurately.
Let me start with an outline.
1. Every new believer is washed clean and receives The Righteousness of Christ.
2. Like joining the military, you are issued a uniform set and your old clothes are shipped back to your family, you were issued a Breastplate of Righteousness.
3. Once issued your initial “kit”, The Whole Armor of God, it becomes your duty to maintain it, keep it clean, polished and in good working order.
4. If this were not the case there would be no need for 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Above you see a proud Roman Soldier, from whom Paul no doubt got many of his analogies, standing watch. What do you think would happen if his watch commander came by and there was a smudge on his breastplate?
Or, if you were trying to leave base in a soiled uniform and your commanding officer caught you?
A lot of Christians go about thinking that once they have
been issued The Righteousness of Christ, they are home free and clear and no
effort of maintenance is required.
Why then 1 John 1:9?
Don’t you see that The Whole Armor of God is your “kit” of Jesus issued to you by The Father?
And, you are required to maintain that “kit”. To polish it, clean it, and if it is more than you can bear, get help from The Holy Spirit to restore your “kit”.
Will your “kit” pass muster? Will your “kit” pass inspection?
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