AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – March 4, 2022, Adar II – 1, 5782
GIFTS – PART ONE HUNDRED-TWENTY-ONE
ARMOR OF GOD – PART SIXTY-THREE
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – PART FOUR
Greetings precious brothers and sister in Christ Jesus and welcome back to the Friday teachings on Gifts from God. Currently we are dealing with the “Armor of God”. Before we move forward, please take a moment and share these teachings as widely as possible helping you and me do the “Great Commission”. Thank you for sharing and I believe the Lord is pleased with your sharing. Over the preceding months I have built a firm foundation by the leadership of the Holy Spirit for the study and implementation of the seven elements of the ‘Whole Armor of God’. The bottom line is that we are to practice a life of holiness, of sanctification, setting ourselves apart for the Kingdom of God. There is no rule (spiritual law) that says we have to sin! Now, let’s turn our attention to our Bible text from the Book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 6:12-15 (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Now, what about the breastplate of righteousness. On the Roman soldier the breast plate covered the chest and the vital organs of the chest including the heart. The word translated to English as breastplate from the Greek is thorax according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. This word, thorax, is also a familiar English word, a common medical word, describing the rib cage and the contents thereof. Righteousness is the state of being innocent and holy. Let’s expand on this and look at this word, righteousness, in context in a few other places.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
I hope this verse is not only familiar but practiced (a reality) in every one of our lives. The Lord Jesus Himself in this verse tells us clearly that the number one pursuit in our lives is the pursuit of Kingdom business and “his righteousness”. Seeking after and achieving His innocence (sinlessness) and holiness (set apart for God’s use) is job one. Let’s look at this verse in two other translations of Scripture.
Matthew 6:33 (AMP)
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
We commonly hear that righteousness is being in right standing and doing right, doing it His way.
Matthew 6:33 (PassionNTPsa)
33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
The Passion Translation points out that when are about our Heavenly Father’s business “these less important things will be given to you abundantly”. We tend to look at the natural needs and wants of life as more important than the spiritual, we must discipline ourselves with His help to get our focus correct.
John 16:8-10 (KJV)
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
How will anyone, the world, others in the Church, know what righteousness looks like unless we model, that we are righteous. I hope you noticed that in Matthew 6:33 that pursuing the Kingdom and His righteousness were connected by the conjunctive ‘and’ which gives equal weight to each. We cannot pursue the Kingdom without righteousness nor be righteous without pursuing the Kingdom. And finally.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV)
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Without Jesus and His Anointing (Holy Spirit), we have no hope of righteousness, He took our sin and gave us His righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next week. Remember, we love you and there is nothing you can do about it.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as your Bible Teacher and a Prophetic Voice in your life I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, doubt it not, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus’ name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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