September 15, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: OUR BREASTPLATE OF SAFETY IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”
Eph. 6:4, NKJV.
“We must put on EVERY piece of the armor [verses 13-18], and then, stand firm. [this is the order]. The Lord [Commander-in-chief of the army of His spiritual kingdom on earth, the true church] has HONORED us by CHOOSING us [the ‘chosen ones’] as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him, maintaining the right in every transaction [of life]. Put on as your breastplate that DIVINELY PROTECTED RIGHTEOUSNESS which is the PRIVILEGE of all to wear. THIS WILL PROTECT YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
“Ample provisions have been made for all who SINCERELY, EARNESTLY, and THOUGHTFULLY set about the work of ‘perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ [See 2 Cor. 7:1]. STRENGTH, GRACE and GLORY have been provided through Christ, to be brought by MINISTERING ANGELS to the ‘heirs of salvation.
“NONE are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, STRENGTH, PURITY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS,—-IF they will put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God.
“The truly righteous—who sincerely love and fear God—wear the robe [and breastplate] of Christ’s righteousness in prosperity and adversity alike. Self denial, self sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian trust are the DAILY FRUITS [‘fruits of the Spirit’] borne by those who are truly CONNECTED [of ‘abiding in’] in God.
“Their acts may not be published to the world [or ‘posted in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.], but they themselves are daily WRESTLING with evil, and GAINING PRECIOUS VICTORIES over temptation and wrong.
“Each one will have a close struggle to overcome sin in his own heart. This is at times a very painful and discouraging work; because, as we see the DEFORMATION in our character, we keep looking at them, WHEN we should be looking to Jesus and PUT ON THE ROBE [and breastplate] of His righteousness!
“Everyone who enters the pearly gates of the city of God [as John recorded in Revelation] will enter there as a CONQUEROR, and HIS GREATEST CONQUEST WILL HAVE BEEN THE CONQUEST OF SELF.” (E.G. White, God’s Amazing Grace,p. 31).
Yes, dear brethren, only by putting in the whole armor of God, which includes the breastplate of righteousness of Christ’s robe of righteousness will we ever gain victory over SELF, our greatest enemy! No wonder our Savior and Example demonstrates in His life on earth what SELFLESSNESS means and comprehends! It is that individual and personal “cross” that we are to “bear daily” if we would be true followers of Christ! Ponder upon these! God bless, NMF.