“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

24 Karat Realities Regarding Righteousness

1. Our lives are constantly under attack
2. The Breastplate covered and protected the vital organs, especially the heart.
3. Sometimes we struggle because we spend time protecting the wrong things.
4. Satan cannot ultimately defeat a believer who has on Christ’s righteousness… You will survive the attack!

“In righteousness you will be established;
  You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
  And from terror, for it will not come near you. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
17And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
  And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:14, 17

1. No one can become righteous on their own

“As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one” Romans 3:10

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:8-9

1. 
   Righteousness is formed in 2 ways. 
2. In Who and What we BELIEVE  (JUSTIFICATION) 
3. How we BEHAVE. (SANTIFICATION)
4. The breastplate symbolizes the righteousness of Christ we have received at salvation=

FIXED RIGHTEOUSNESS

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Though our righteousness is fixed by faith in Christ we still must produce:

FUNCTIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS by living right and being obedient to God’s Word.

Jesus didn’t come to help us manage our sin but to have victory over it.

“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.12 Fight the good fight of the faith…”  1 Timothy 6:9-12

1. Righteousness means to meet the standard of what is right.  Jesus is the standard!
2. Although our righteousness is based in our faith in Christ, Satan tempts us to fall out of favor with God by living an unrighteous life.
3. Righteousness protects your life. Wretchedness leaves your live exposed to the enemy.
4. Righteousness can be faked on earth, but it won’t fool spirits in the heavenly places
5. This pursuit of righteousness is NOT a one-time event, it is what we do until we die.
6. The pursuit of righteousness should be automatic, second nature, a part of what we do and who we are.
7. Our love for God should determine what we DO and what we DON’T do.
8. Righteousness is not just living right toward God but loving right toward others.

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

1. We must love others as a demonstration of our righteousness:
2. Eros love-  (Erotic) “What can you do for me?”
3. Philia love- (Friendship) “Do for me and I will do for you”
4. Agape love- (Unconditional) “I will do for you even if you DON’T do anything for me”
5. When you attempt to live righteous it will invite attack and criticism in your life.
6. Satan will accuse you as he did Job.  Suggest your righteousness is not real but conditional.
7. You must learn to examine and constantly evaluate your life and correct blind spots and weaknesses.
8. Satan takes the commands of God and makes them into suggestions 

“You shall not surely die if you eat the fruit” Genesis 3:4

“Eve you don’t have to listen to God… it was just a recommendation not a requirement.”

1. RIGHTEOUSNESS TRANSFORMS US FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
2. If you give up something or someone to follow Christ you will not miss out, God will give you something or someone better.

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20

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