Breastplate of Righteousness - Part 2
Hebrews 5:13 (AMPC) For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced, and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!
The breastplate of righteousness is so important. What was the breastplate on the Roman soldier for; what was its purpose? To protect the soldiers’ vital organs, to protect his life. Without it, there was no protection from the enemy. From this, we are to ascertain that righteousness is vital for our survival against the wiles of the devil and every demonic attack. We must have a revelation of our righteousness and that we were made righteous; and it was not of ourselves or earned in any way, shape, form, or fashion. You were made righteous when you were born again. How can we tell if we have a revelation of our righteousness?
Let’s start with our scripture for today, Hebrews 5:13. Someone who doesn’t have a revelation of righteousness desires only the milk of the Word of God; they don’t want, or can’t tolerate the meat of God’s Word, they are still spiritual babies. Serving God for years and still being a baby, or a carnal Christian is a real problem, but it can be easily solved by receiving revelation through teaching on righteousness. These Christians need this revelation because not realizing they are righteous, they will either trying to establish their own righteousness or may be oblivious to righteousness all together.
There are many ways to tell if someone has a revelation of righteousness. One way is by their prayer life and their confidence in their prayers. James 5:16 says “…the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” When you know you are righteous, you know that when you pray, God hears you; and you know there is power in your prayers, and they are availing much. You no longer religiously think that sometimes He hears and sometimes He doesn’t. You know God hears and answers you when you pray.
Another way to know if you have a revelation of righteousness is you are reigning in this life. In other words, you know how to get and maintain victory in every part of your life. Romans 5:17 says, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” In this life, where the devil tries to harass you, you are still ruling and reigning like a king. When we know we have been made righteous, we know we have the right and the privilege to rule and reign in this life because we are in Jesus Christ.
Do you have revelation of your righteousness? Do you know you have been made righteous or are you still trying to be righteous? Again, there are clues that you are walking in your righteousness. You are ready for the meat of the Word of God and no longer want just the milk of the Word. You know your prayers are being heard by God, and you are confident that power is available to fulfill what you have asked for. And finally, you are ruling and reigning by one Jesus Christ in this life.
Your revelation of your righteous position will grow, but your righteousness will not. The fruits of your righteousness will increase as your revelation of being made righteous increases. We are righteous! Therefore, the breastplate of righteousness protects us from the tactics of the devil.