Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Here, Paul is telling Christians to enter the combat of the Christian life, and to do that with certain armor on. He draws attention to two pieces of the Christian's clothing. One is a belt and one is body armor.
The Belt of Truth
The best gift I've ever received from my family is actually a belt. They gave me this belt years ago. Comes with a forever warranty, so nothing could happen to this belt where they're not going to replace it. I use it day in, day out sometimes. My sons have borrowed the belt. I get angry when I can't find it. I love this belt. It's an essential piece of my wardrobe, so I wear it every single day.
I understand when Paul says how important this belt that we fasten around our waist is, and it is the belt of truth. In the time this was written, you wouldn't go anywhere without a belt. Today, you may wear one, or you may not. But in this day it was absolutely essential. He's drawing attention to how necessary it is that we as Christians are grounded in the truth. Let me clarify—not your truth, not my truth, no, absolute truth.
We find absolute truth in the Word of God. God has revealed to us what is true about who we are. What is the truth of who He is? What is the meaning and purpose of our lives? All of this is found in the Word of God and the Word of God alone. It is truth. We fasten it around our waist. We don't go anywhere without that truth.
The Body Armor of God's Righteousness
Secondly, here Paul draws attention to the body armor. This is defensive. Some of this armor is offensive and some of it is defensive. This armor protects your vital organs—and here Paul says, what is that protection? It is God's righteousness.
This is very important to note. It is not your righteousness. It is not my good deeds. It is not my goodness. It is not my good works. It is the righteousness of Christ. The theological word is imputation. Imputation is when something is credited to your account. It's not yours. You didn't do it. You didn't work for it, but it's credited to your account as if you did.
For the Christian, we have the righteousness of Christ. 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 21 says, "For our sake He made Him, that is Christ, to be sin who knew no sin, that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." What that means is that I am not righteous. You are not righteous. But as believers, God has given us the righteousness of Christ.
Your Defense Against Accusation
How is the righteousness of Christ armor? Well, let me give you an example. Satan will accuse you that you are not good enough to be saved and loved by God. Here is our response: That is true. I am not good enough. My breastplate, my protection against those accusations is not my goodness, but Christ. He is good enough and He has given me His righteousness.
Christian, next time your peace is threatened by the accusations of Satan, remind yourself of God's righteousness that it has been imputed to you. Recall Ephesians chapter 6, verse 14: "Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness."
