Beauty of the Cross
Each morning when I have my quiet time I try to remember to “put on the armor of God”. I try to focus on each piece and how it protects me and how I am to use each piece.
However, this morning I wanted to understand the breast plate of righteousness a little better. And I discovered, with great, tear jerking, relief that my understanding was flawed. All this time I thought it was my righteousness that was the breastplate and was what protects me from the devils schemes but it’s not!! What I learned was my righteousness is not good enough and it will never be sufficient enough to protect me from evil but Christ’s righteousness is. He purchased righteousness for us by dying on the cross, sinless and pure, paying the penalty for all of our sins from the past, present and future!
The excerpt below from an article I read puts it so beautifully:
*“At salvation, a “breastplate” is issued to each repentant sinner. It is specially designed by God to protect our heart and soul from evil and deception. Our own righteous acts are no match for Satan’s attacks (Isaiah 64:6). The breastplate of righteousness has Christ’s name stamped on it, as though He said, “Your righteousness isn’t sufficient to protect you. Wear mine.”
This is such an enormous relief to me! No longer will I start each morning with the discouraging thought that I was unprotected yet another day because I failed at righteousness so many times.
But that’s the beauty of the cross! We don’t have to be perfect and sinless, we just need faith and a repentant heart!
“...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
We know how sin can entangle us in its snares but what hinders us. Trying to adhere to a set of man made rules and religious practices, perfection, shame, Satans lies...
So let’s throw those heavy weights off us and into the bottom of the ocean and live a life of freedom offered by Christ. Freedom to love Him and love others with all our heart, soul and mind. When we do this we live a life worthy of our calling as children of God.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” Micah 7:19
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Psalm 103:12
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27
*excerpt from https://www.gotquestions.org/breastplate-of-righteousness.html