A breastplate or body armor is a key part of a warrior’s armor as it offers protection to the body’s core. The Roman breastplate transformed from a solid, heavy metal covering made of 2 formed pieces to fit a soldier’s chest and back to a covering of lighter weight and more flexible iron strips tied with leather (lorica segmentata) covering both torso and shoulders. This is the style that was worn during the time of Christ and the early Church. The change in the armor offered the soldier a better offensive and defensive advantage in battle – not only enabling more flexibility, but also more speed and, thus, more efficient and effective offensive and defensive movement and protection.
As we consider the spiritual assets of a breastplate of righteousness and how that is “putting on Christ”, we must look at the gift and grace of God. He sent His beloved Son sent to die for our sins and to restore our relationship with the Father by imputing the Son’s righteousness to those who believe and confess Jesus as Savior and Lord through faith. Christ’s righteousness becomes our own through faith, allowing us to be accepted as sons and daughters of God – justified by Christ.
Romans 5:6, 8, 12, 15, 17-18 (NLT) “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners… But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners… When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned… But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ… For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
Daily, I thank God for His love and gift of grace, and I thank Jesus for His faithfulness unto death and for imputing His righteousness to me! The Father sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ when He looks at me – hallelujah!
I am reminded that often times Scripture tells us that “Jesus was moved with compassion for the people” before teaching or healing. Jesus is also the tangible expression of God’s love for us. So, when I am strapping on my breastplate of righteousness every day, I say aloud, “I choose to operate today in the compassion of Christ and the love of the Father.”
Warrior, your breastplate of righteousness is an offensive weapon in that it represents your adoption as son or daughter of God through Christ’s righteousness imputed (transferred) to you through your faith. You can call God, “Abba Father”! What could be better than being part of God’s eternal family?
The breastplate of righteousness affords you, Warrior, a defense against the Enemy and hell. The righteousness transferred to you includes victory over death – the ultimate victory over Satan is your eternal life in heaven, offered through your faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Joyfully put on Christ – His righteousness and compassion – when you put on your breastplate of righteousness, Warrior!
Ephesians 6:13-16 (NLT) “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor [breastplate] of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Raising Warriors 