Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; I. NOW, first, WHAT IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF WHICH THE APOSTLE SPEAKS? Certainly, it is not the righteousness of the law. Not but that this would be a very good covering, if we could obtain it. Neither, again, is the righteousness of which the apostle here speaks to be identified with evangelical righteousness, or that which is of God by faith, that which is the justifying cause of a sinner's acceptance, and his title deed to a part in the Christian covenant. Observe, then, that the righteousness which constitutes the believer's breastplate is the fruit of the Spirit, a principle of the renewed mind, one of those good and perfect gifts which come down from the Father of lights. This, indeed, would follow from the fact, that the armour of which it forms a part is the armour of God, and, therefore, could not be of human acquisition or contrivance. Still, that which only God can give we may improve when it is given; and that part of our defensive weapon which consists in the implanting of right dispositions in the heart, may, if kept bright by daily use, and strengthened by daily prayer, cause the light of our good works to shine before men, and to cast a spiritual radiance over the whole armour of God. 1. Now, in this view, we say, first, that the outward duties of religion form a part of the Christian breastplate. 2. But, further, this breastplate of righteousness is a breastplate of holy principles in the general conduct of life. "As He that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation." Most conspicuously, however, should this righteousness of the Christian shine forth among those of his own household. 3. Once more, by the breastplate of righteousness the apostle means a breastplate of holy affections. In this sense we have, in using the word in the Epistle to the Thessalonians, the "putting on the breastplate of faith and love." II. But I proceed to the second thing proposed, which was to show THE NECESSITY OF THE BREASTPLATE AS A PART OF THE CHRISTIAN'S DEFENSIVE COVERING. Thus, it is necessary as a protection to the more vital and endangered parts. The breastplate in the military equipment covered the immediate seat of life. It was not for an arm or an inferior member where a wound might be healed, but for a part of the body where a wound would be attended with fatal consequences. So, the righteousness which is here recommended to us by the apostle is to protect a vital part. It is to guard those entrances out of which proceed the issues of life. Observe, then, ye put on this breastplate, because the assaults of Satan are always directed against that which is the very life of the soul. Satan has no war with mere forms of godliness, no contest with those who are satisfied with a name to live, no care to disturb the peace of those who rest in the exemplariness of their conduct, and the rectitude of their lives. His war is with practical holiness. Again, the putting on of this breastplate is necessary as an acknowledged mark of our Christian profession; as something by which we are distinguished from the men of the world. Further, this breastplate is necessary to give us confidence in the hour of distress and danger. Such, brethren, may serve for a description of the Christian's breastplate. The reason, perhaps, for its entering thus early into the apostle's account of our spiritual armour, is, that every Christian soldier should be warned at the outset of the uncompromising strictness and holy nature of that service upon which he has entered; that he should be taught that no dexterity he might display, no wielding other weapons, no zeal he might discover in fighting the battles of the living God, would ever compensate for the want of that holiness both in heart and life, without which none shall behold the face of God. Brethren, God can pardon sin, but God cannot look upon sin - cannot look upon a man negligent of holy duties, uninfluenced by holy principles, an utter stranger to holy affections, and yet calling himself by the name of Christian. (D. Moore, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; |
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