The Breast Plate of Righteousness Part 3
In Acts, Chapter three Peter and John were going to the temple for the hour of prayer when they came upon a man who was crippled from birth. And the word says, “Now Peter and John when up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour, and a certain man being lame from his mothers womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called “Beautiful”, to ask alms of them that entered the temple…”
Notice that this man was being laid daily at the gate of the temple called beautiful. “Beautiful” was not the real name of this gate but was used to describe the gate. It was covered with all kinds of ornate detail and lavish architectural detail.
As beautiful as this gate was it had never healed this man, this is a picture of a dead and lifeless religion – It had great and beautiful buildings and was dead quiet for fear of being “irreverent” or “irreligious” with all their piety and all of there formality the needs of this one man had not been met. This is a picture of what a dead Church has to offer absolutely nothing.
The Man when he saw Peter and John getting ready to go into the temple asked for alms. And Peter said to him, “Look on us” (Acts3:3,4)
The bible says that Peter fastened his eyes upon him. The word “upon” is taken from the Greek word eis (pronounced ice), which means “into” so when the bible says Peter fastened his eyes “upon” this man it means he went right up to him and looked him directly in the eyes. Once he had his complete attention, Peter said to him “Look at me!”
Why do you think Peter did this?
Because he knew he had something life changing to offer this crippled man. Once you realize you have been given the “Breast Plate of Righteousness” Like Peter, You two will want to walk around telling people to look at you. You will know that how have something that they need. This knowledge of righteousness affects the way you deal with people.
The next verses say, “ And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive soothing from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee…”(Acts 3:5-6)
The word translated “such” is a very poor translation, It should have been translated as “…but who I have I give thee…” Peter wasn’t giving the man a “such” he was giving him a “who”- Jesus Christ! Peter and John then released the power of God into the man and he was healed!
You might say how could Peter and John move in such confidence, It was because they knew they were righteous. When you know that you are righteous it gives you the assurance you need to step out and do the work of God.
Before you run out and do battle with the enemy you need to have this type of assurance in your position. The enemy will try to accuse and slander you; he will tell you that you are a good-for-nothing. He will try and tell you that God will not use you and that no one will listen to you. That is why it is so vital that you know that God has given you a “Breast Plate of Righteousness.” When you walk in that Breast Plate everything changes.
Righteousness is a defensive weapon. Isaiah says,” I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me in the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…”(Isaiah 61:10).
Notice here that the robe goes from head to foot, in using this expression Isaiah is telling us that righteousness will act as a defense to you.
In Isaiah 51:7-8, Isaiah announces: “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in who’s heart is the law; fear not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of the reviling. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat like wool: but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
When you are dressed in righteousness you do not have to fear what the devil or man can do to you. Your righteousness will protect and sustain you – While your enemies are eaten like the moth eats the garment and the worm eats the wool. God’s righteousness is permanent in the life of the believer it lasts from generation to generation.
When you walk in righteousness it is a weapon of defense against the slanderous accusations of the enemy. The righteous are never permanently affected by afflictions. Psalms 37:17 says, “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
The righteous always out last any attack that comes against them. While the enemy comes to remove the influence of the righteous, Proverbs 10:30 tells us, “The righteous shall never be removed…”
How important is it for you to walk in righteousness? It is very important if you don’t want to be “removed.” If you don’t have the breastplate of righteousness firmly attached in place and you begin to do battle with enemy, he will do everything in his power to remove you!
Righteousness: An Offensive Weapon
The breastplate the roman soldier wore was beautiful to look at “yes”, and it served to protect him in battle but it also served another very important purpose.
Keep in mind that the breastplate was made of very shiny materials and when the soldier threw his shoulders back in the noon sun it cast a blinding glare into the eyes of his enemy.
The breastplate served to blind his enemy to the point that the enemy could not fight. When the breastplate was used in this fashion it was used offensively.
Similarly, when you begin to walk in righteousness, alls you have to do is walk into a dark situation, and the darkness will begin to flee from you. Evil forces always flee from righteousness because they can’t take the brilliance that righteousness reflects into their eyes!
Righteousness will equip you not only in a spiritual way; righteousness will affect you in the natural realm as well. Righteousness will make you noticeable.
When you are dressed in righteousness you will realize you are dressed in armor, you are dressed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
You are as brilliant and powerful as Jesus himself when you are walking in this breastplate! With this breastplate firmly attached in place, you have Gods glory radiating from your life to all those around you.
Stand Tall you are the “righteousness of God” in Christ Jesus you have on the “breastplate of righteousness.”
Every Roman soldier owned a breastplate and learned that the more he wore it and used it the better it became the shine upon it would grow each time he used it. Like the Roman soldiers breastplate the more you use your breastplate the shiner it will become.
Keep walking in it, marching in it, don’t let the enemy talk you out of enjoying the benefits of your right standing with God.
As you begin to walk in your breastplate a righteous consciousness will begin to overtake your false emotions of unworthiness and condemnation. A righteous conscious will begin to build in your life.
As you walk in your breastplate you will become more and more gorgeous to the eye of God, and more dangerously blinding to the enemy.