- Breastplate of Righteousness:
Breastplate covers the heart. It is logical to say that the heart is the most vital organ!
Hence, the enemy will try to go for our Heart. It’s not our physical but, our spiritual heart!
Prob 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
God commands us to “Guard your heart”. It’s our heart (our spirit) that causes us to live our live – whether victoriously or defeatedly.
Luke 6:45
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
The heart is the model or microcosm of our life!
We sometimes say something we say don’t intend but, we flow what we already have inside!
1 Thess 5:8
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Why faith and love?
Our righteousness is filthy rags! It’s going to fail and will shatter in pieces should it get hit by an arrow!
How do we get Gods righteousness – through faith!
Faith working out in love is how the breastplate is to be “put on”
Philip 3:9
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
It’s not from the law, not from our works but, only through FAITH!
Gal 5:6
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
2 Cor 5:21
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
We were sinners. Jesus who was sinless. He took our sin & shame, and imparted to us His righteousness! Only when we believe in what Christ has done, we are get His righteousness.
Our worth should be coming from the finished work of Christ!
This armor of God has to be put on every day! Moreover, the belt, breastplate and shoes should always be on!
1 Cor 13:4
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
If then we can put on faith, how do we “put off” faith?
- Offence – something not intended or actually intended then causing bitterness.
- Doubt -lies that destroys our peace.
- Unforgiveness
1 Pet 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.Shoes of Gospel of Peace
2. Shoes of Gospel of Peace
For the Roman soldier when engaging enemy or during war – the shoes are always on. They used to sleep with their shoes on! They are always ready to go!
The Shoes signifies Availability and Mobility.
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Mat 12:10-13
13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you
How can we give our peace to somebody or a situation?
Only when we are at peace – we can share peace. We should have experienced peace to give away peace!
The gospel of peace is what we had received when we believed! It’s what we can share with people when they ask of the hope that burns within us.
1 Pet 3:15
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
When we have the shoes on, we show God’s love! We behave differently when encountered with trials! We also share the eternal peace through the gospel.