Having on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:14.

Last week, we considered the undergirding that was required before we could don the actual pieces of the armour. We are to gird our loins with truth. The truth spoken of is that sincerity of heart that will give us one aim and one purpose in life -- the honour and glory of God. In Luke 8:15 we read of the good ground in the parable of the sower as representing an honest and good heart. In other words, a true heart. It was not seeking to give nourishment to thorns nor did it conceal stones and rock. It gave all its power to nourishing the good seed. That is what it means to have your loins gird with truth.  Now, we must put on that which will protect such a heart — the breastplate of righteousness. The covering we require upon our hearts is righteousness. I want to consider the nature of this righteousness and the function it performs and the proof that it is being worn.

I. THE NATURE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The righteousness referred to here is that holiness that is imparted to the sinner regenerated by the grace of God. It is the outworking of our being “born again”. It is the very motions and activities, the heartbeat of the new nature.

1. This righteousness is the work of the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Gal 5:22. It is the fruit of the Spirit, Eph 5:9.

2. This righteousness consists primarily of a holy inclination.

From the moment of the new birth there is an ongoing holy motion, Luke 4:39. As Lazarus came into the light and sought the living so is the direction of the new life created within the believer. As flowers reach for the sun, so there is a reaching for Christ in the new creature.

3. This righteousness is the clear evidence of sonship.

Rom 8:9, 14, Gal 4:6, I John 3:2-3.

4. This righteousness is bounded by the Word of God.

Phil 2:15-16. See Luke 14:7 (marked), Acts 3:5 (gave heed), Acts 19:22 (stayed), I Tim 4:16 (take heed).