Chapter 23—A Breastplate for Safety
And having on the breastplate of righteousness.
Ephesians 6:14
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We must put on every piece of the armor, and then stand firm. The Lord
has honored us by choosing us as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him,
maintaining the right in every transaction.... Put on as your breastplate that
divinely protected righteousness which it is the privilege of all to wear. This
will protect your spiritual life.
Ample provisions have been made for all who sincerely, earnestly, and
thoughtfully set about the work of perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Strength, grace, and glory have been provided through Christ, to be brought
by ministering angels to the heirs of salvation. None are so low, so corrupt
and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity,
and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, cease their course of
iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting
to strip them of their garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon
them the white, bright robes of righteousness.
The truly righteous, who sincerely love and fear God, wear the robe of
Christ’s righteousness in prosperity and adversity alike. Self-denial, self-
sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian
trust are the daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with God.
Their acts may not be published to the world, but they themselves are daily
wrestling with evil, and gaining precious victories over temptation and
wrong.
All who have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand before
Him as chosen and faithful and true. Satan has no power to pluck them out of
the hand of the Saviour. Not one soul who in penitence and faith has claimed
His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power.
Each one will have a close struggle to overcome sin in his own heart.
This is at times a very painful and discouraging work; because, as we see
the deformities in our character, we keep looking at them, when we should
look to Jesus and put on the robe of His righteousness. Everyone who enters
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