The Breastplate of Righteousness is part 3 of 7 of the series on the Armor of God. In this episode we are reminded of the overall use of spiritual warfare– defend, protect and destroy. We explore the righteousness of Jesus Christ and that the sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation deliver His righteousness to us. For audio and video links and written script please continue reading.
TOS017 Breastplate of Righteousness with Patti Brunner (Part 3) ; for Audio;
The enemy draws you ever inward and away from a relationship with God. Hardness of heart is not a Breastplate of Righteousness but a breastplate of self. How do you guard your heart? To be vulnerable to love requires surrender – not to sin but to the imperfections of others. Let God be the perfection of love. To say “God loves me and so it doesn’t matter what I do or say” shows not reliance on God but a testing of God’s gift of free will. What are some ways that we can spot that we are in the midst of a “spiritual attack”?
We are reminded that Baptism remains always. We also see that the enemy longs for you to deny and reject it–the only way it can be penetrated. Praising God “polishes” the Breastplate of Righteousness and Reconciliation removes the filth that accumulates so that it does not become so burdened with sin that you want to remove it because of its heaviness. When caked with personal sin and bitterness it seems to be the problem instead of the solution. And we talk about the many benefits of guarding your heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness.
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Ephesians chapter 6, verse 14 says, “So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate”. Certainly, the Lord wants you to understand His “breastplate of righteousness”. Guarding your heart is so important to Christians to help you from giving your heart to others – the false gods. The Lord says, “I am who am.” His righteousness restores purity to those who have looked the other way and have been enticed by wealth, power and pleasure. The yoke of righteousness looks to the perfect obedience of Jesus when your own fails and allows restoration. The sacrament of Reconciliation takes up the breastplate and keeps the heart guarded from the effects of sin. Not alone could man do this. Only in Christ!
Tonight, we are going to take a quick look at spiritual warfare and spiritual attack. Then we’ll explore what Righteousness is, how it is delivered to us, how we lose it and how it is restored to us. Then I’ll talk about the benefits of guarding your heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness.
So, first: 1.What is spiritual warfare and what does a spiritual attack look like?
Spiritual warfare is overcoming the threats, harassments, and temptations of evil and sharing the victory of Jesus Christ. Spiritual warfare defends against, protects from and destroys spiritual attack. Let me repeat that: Spiritual warfare defends, protects and destroys.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.”
We are overcoming the threats, harassments and temptations of an enemy that we cannot see, that we cannot reason with, who uses the every dirty trick in the book to try to deceive us into believing his lies.
Satan will continue to accuse us and harass us. However, we know from the Book of Revelation chapter 12 that he is conquered with the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. [Revelation 12:10-13]
Let me share an incident we had with a spiritual attack. As many of you know, eight years ago my husband Rick had a battle with a diagnosis that called for a heart transplant. We won that one, thank you Jesus. Three years ago Rick had a check-up with his local cardiologist who proceeded to tell us that one of the wires to his pacemaker defibrillator had come loose or was fractured and was not working. The doctor was extremely concerned and said Rick would need to return to St. Louis as soon as possible for another long surgery to replace the wire.
The doctor left the room to consult with clinic’s pacemaker specialist. At first I was thinking of the bother of having to go to St. Louis, and then I thought, maybe it was a spiritual attack because Rick had been leading the Armor of God sessions. That’s when it dawned on me to pray. We prayed for healing of the wire and for an expert to be found who could tell us it was ok.
The tech specialist came back in the room and said she had called in the manufacturer representative who was in the area. Quick answer to prayer for the expert!
As we waited for him, I found this scripture in a book I had with me: “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”. That is Philippians 4:19. I proclaimed it aloud several times. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” The expert showed up. He tweaked a setting and everything worked fine. All three wires! Whether it was just a lie of Satan or a healing of a fractured wire is not important. The important thing is that we trusted God to take care of all our needs and he did. Two days later I was asked to give this talk. The enemy had tried to take us out. The winner, again, is Jesus!
So what are some ways that we can spot that we are in the midst of a “spiritual attack”?
Do you ever feel like you are talking to a brick wall when you are speaking to an atheist or to someone who has fallen away from the faith? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4 that the invisible rulers of darkness actually rise up with opposition to keep people from coming closer to or even hearing about Jesus Christ; going so far as to veil the minds of the unbelievers so that they may not see the light of the gospel or the glory of Christ,. [2 Cor 4:4]
A spiritual attack can make you feel accused and condemned and craving to be isolated in your misery. A spiritual attack can cause you to start to doubt God’s goodness and make you want to throw a pity-party for yourself. It involves lies and deceit. Remember, according to the Gospel of John, the enemy is the father of lies. [John 8:44] Ephesians chapter 4 says: A spiritual attack will sow a strong incentive to divide and separate you from other Christians. Eph 4:1-6 . It also says: A spiritual attack will try to talk you into staying angry and holding on to every hurt with deep resentment and unforgiveness. [Eph 4:27]
But in Hebrews we are instructed that the spiritual warfare we wage as Christians is able to win the battle because the armor of God that we put on is Christ and Christ is the winner. [Hebrews 2:14-15] To help us to be prepared to win each spiritual battle we are to be protected with the full armor of God. We are called to trust God’s armor, and to be prayerful in every situation. This is the overall use of spiritual warfare – defense, protect and destroy
A key piece of that armor, which we will discuss tonight, is the Breastplate of Righteousness. When opportunity meets need the grace of God has allowed the path of righteousness to cross from eternity into the now. [repeat:] When opportunity meets need the grace of God has allowed the path of righteousness to cross from eternity into the now.
2. What is righteousness?
The Church tells us in the catechism paragraph 1991: “Righteousness means the rectitude of divine love”. [CCC 1991] The catechism quotes Romans chapter 14 to state: “The kingdom of God [is] righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [CCC 2819 & Romans 14:17]
Righteousness is the wisdom of God.
Righteousness is the holiness of God.
Righteousness for man– is the reconnection to God.
3. How do we get the righteousness of Christ?
How do we get that connection? Romans 5:19 says “For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous”. Righteousness belongs to God and it is a gift of love that he gives to us.
John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son”. “So that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” How do we get it the gift of love, righteousness?
The sacraments of baptism and reconciliation deliver the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
The sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation delivers the righteousness. In the catechism it says “… Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life” [CCC 1992] It also says “The grace of the Holy Spirit confers upon us the righteousness of God. Uniting us by faith and Baptism to the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, the Spirit makes us sharers in his life.” [CCC 2017] We are reminded of this at every Eucharist. God’s righteousness is bestowed on us as Christian Holiness. The Breastplate is Christ’s righteousness.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians that Christ’s disciples have “put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” ( Eph 4:24). We cannot fully understand the word ‘righteousness’ because only the Christ is righteous. And it is through Christ Jesus – that the Father purifies man to receive righteousness into our own hearts.
Only in the fullness of time will you know the Father fully. But to know Him is to love Him and as you begin to know and thus love Him your life will reflect that love and change you into a righteous man through the guidance and love of Jesus with the Holy Spirit. “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.” [John 3:16] God continues to give His Son to you through all eternity. Each Holy Communion returns to the moment of extreme righteousness and obedience. Partake of the gift he has given so that you may be one in him and remain in him and He in you. At that moment there is no one but Christ. As you become one with him you are one with God.”
4. Which Sacraments are not repeated but lasts forever?
Do you know? Baptism , Confirmation, Holy Orders last forever because they are sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Church teaches us in Catechism paragraph 1994: “Justification is the most excellent work of God’s love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit. [I found it interesting that:] It is the opinion of St. Augustine that “the justification of the wicked” [that was us] “is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth,” because “heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect . . . will not pass away.”43 He holds also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice, in that it [justification] bears witness to a greater mercy. “ That’s probably why Satan hates us so much; he’s jealous. There is one baptism and it remains forever.
5. So, How do we lose righteousness if it remains forever? The enemy longs for you to deny and reject it–the only way it can be penetrated. The enemy longs for you to deny and reject righteousness–the only way the breastplate of righteousness can be penetrated. The enemy can go after everyone. He went after Adam and Eve with his lies and they took the bait and rejected the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness.
Satan tempted Christ. Satan tempted Christ in an attempt to get him also to reject righteousness. We read in Matthew chapter 4:1-4 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 b He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. 3 The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” 4 He said in reply, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’”
Satan tried to get Jesus to forsake God and reject righteousness by turning all focus on things of this world–even though the things of this world were good things. Jesus answered with the scripture, “‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” How does the enemy use good things like work, family, homes and food to tempt you?
“The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” [Matthew 4:3-10]
A test can costs us righteousness?? To say “God loves me and so it doesn’t matter what I do or say” shows not reliance on God but a testing of God’s gift of free will. Satan hates freewill. He hates that man can choose to follow God, despite knowing that he will still suffer at times in this world. Testing God is the person who commits mortal sin with the idea that since God is so good He won’t send anyone to hell. Testing God this way says, “I don’t really have freewill” thus making God the liar instead of the deceitful one, Satan. God does love you. He is always here to help us. However, He allows you to choose, even to choose sin and certain death.”
Matthew 4: “8 Then the devil took Jesus up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”10 At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’”
‘The temptation to reject God for false gods’—that seems a very obvious temptation to us. However, the chosen people of Israel fell for that one over and over. We have to ask ourselves: What things –money, power, prestige, political correctness, sports and entertainment idols does the enemy use to tempt me? The enemy longs for you to deny and reject righteousness–the only way the breastplate of righteousness can be penetrated.
6. How is righteousness restored after we ‘mess up’? Answer: The Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we choose to sin, we know something is wrong. But the enemy is there, justifying the sin to us. Trying to get us to look the other way. To forget about it. The next sin is easier to swallow. In the long term we don’t even notice that our choices are offensive to God. But the consequences of sin affects us. It’s like each sin is a clod of mud or feces that covers the breastplate. Ew! That’s why the Church reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the need to go to Reconciliation.
Reconciliation “polishes” the breastplate and removes the filth that accumulates so that it does not become so burdened with sin that you want to remove it because of its heaviness. Caked with personal sin and bitterness the breastplate seems to be the problem instead of the solution. Have you ever felt “lighter” after a good reconciliation? Regular Sacrament of Reconciliation is the Breastplate! It is the protection against rejection of Righteousness.
CCC Paragraph 1848 reminds us “to do its work grace must uncover sin so as to convert our hearts and bestow on us “righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 5:20-21] Like a physician who probes the wound before treating it, God, by his Word and by his Spirit, casts a living light on sin”.
We can deny and reject grace by choosing to live in state of mortal sin.
Righteousness is easily restored by accepting grace and admitting sinfulness, choosing obedience in spite of failure.
Fr. Rick Hobbs wrote about Reconciliation. He said, “The sacrament exists not to show how bad we are but how loving and gracious our Lord is for his people… A wonderful and great spiritual awakening is to have the weight of sin removed from your life. “ [see full letter below]
Remove the heavy gunk of sin—don’t take off the breastplate! CCC1989 “…Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high…”
Praising God also ‘shines’ the breastplate and repels the enemy. Like the ancient army of Israel who polished their shields and reflected the sun to blind their enemy, finding God’s glory in every situation and offering praise no matter what, reflects the Son of God and thus repels the prince of darkness and all his cohorts that roam the earth seeking the ruin of souls.
They hate the light but love darkness.
When King David was just a boy and about to tackle the giant with a slingshot, he took off the armor that King Saul handed him. Saul’s armor was of earthly power and pride. So David was armed only with confidence in the Lord. And God provided all he needed to destroy his enemy Goliath, the giant. David gave God all the glory and praised his name. You have put on the armor of righteousness at your Baptism. Maintain the breastplate through frequent reconciliation and praise.
7. How does the breastplate of Righteousness protect us? Think for a moment of the benefits of guarding your heart with the breastplate of Righteousness. The shield of righteousness, the “breastplate”, protects the vital organ of your being – the heart. People can exist without arms or legs, even without brain function but if you remove the heart without replacing it you will die. The enemy will try to get you to replace your heart with stone. The enemy wants you to become one of the walking dead! But even if you are a ‘dead man walking’ there is hope.
God promises through the prophet Ezekiel 36:25-27 “25 I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”. The Israelites’ stone heart is caused by being rebellious and obstinate. They just could not trust God when life got hard. A heart of flesh is susceptible to and animated by God’s spirit. With the breastplate of righteousness we are given the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit.
The enemy draws you ever inward and away from a relationship with God. The enemy reminds you of how others have disappointed you and hurt you. The enemy wants you harden your heart to stone so that no one can get to you again. Especially the Lord! Basically, hardness of heart is a breastplate of self. How do you guard your heart from getting hurt? To be vulnerable to love requires surrender – not to sin but to look past the imperfections of others. Put on Christ. Let him be the perfection of love.
Guarding your heart is important to Christians to help you from giving your heart to the false gods. In Baptism we make a covenant promise to forsake all others like a marriage promise. What happens if we have a ‘roving eye’? Christ’s righteousness restores purity to those who have looked the other way and have been enticed by wealth, power and pleasure. The yoke of righteousness looks to Christ’s perfect obedience when your own fails and allows restoration.
The sacrament of Reconciliation takes up the breastplate and keeps the heart guarded from the effects of sin. Not alone could man do this–only in Christ.
The breastplate protects you from the lie. “To thine own self be true”, is a line that was givento Shakespeare in a time when man chose to listen to Shakespeare instead of God’s voice,
it reminds you that if you take in the voice of the evil one and make it as your own you can lose your soul as you remove your heart and give it away to the false gods of death and destruction. The breastplate of righteousness which has defeated death is always available –24/7. The Lord will guard you. Remain in hislove.
Remember what we said that spiritual attacks look like. When the enemy seeks to deceive and destroy he looks for the legal ways that seem to be truth but are twisted.
All of these attacks are attacks on your heart:
When you experience opposition to keep people from coming closer to or even hearing about Jesus Christ –keep trying– knowing your God can provide for all their needs in the richness of his glory.
When you feel accused and condemned or crave to be isolated in your misery–have the fortitude to continue and trust in God’s Divine Mercy
When you start to doubt God’s goodness and want to throw a pity-party for yourself–allow peace and recognize that God can bring good from evil thus overcome it.
When attacks Involves lies and deceit, because the enemy is the father of lies–the Wisdom of God helps you to recognize truth.
When you feel a strong incentive to divide and separate yourself from other Christians–remember the Communion of Saints. In Christ you are not alone. And recognizing Christ in Christians brings unity.
When the enemy tries to talk you into staying angry and holding on to every hurt with deep resentment and unforgiveness–God provides inner healing and forgiveness
Truth, the Belt of Truth, protects too. The main truth is this: God loves you. And God shows you his love through relationship.
Praying the Word of God is a very powerful tool. Understanding and living the Word of God is also quite powerful. Both draw on the power of God not the power of man.
In conclusion,
1 Tonight we were reminded of the overall use of spiritual warfare– defense, protect and destroy
2 We explored the Righteousness of Jesus Christ
3 and that the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation deliver His righteousness to us.
4. We were reminded that Baptism remains always
5 We also saw that the enemy longs for you to deny and reject it–the only way it can be penetrated.
6 Praising God “polishes” and Reconciliation removes the filth that accumulates so that it does not become so burdened with sin that you want to remove it because of its heaviness. Caked with personal sin and bitterness it seems to be the problem instead of the solution.
7 And we talked about the benefits of guarding your heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness.
The main truth is this: God loves you. And He shows you his love through relationship. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” John 3:16. “So that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly”.
Amen.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever felt the burden of the attack of the enemy?
2. Share of victory you have experienced.
3. What are some of the ways the enemy seeks to steal, kill and destroy your heart?
4. Christ has given his life and his righteousness because of his great love. How can we respond? In our weakness?
5. What polishes the breast plate?
Fr. Rick Hobbs letter about Reconciliation in the 2/22/2015 bulletin at SVdP:
“When we are honest, open and willing to allow the spirit to touch us, a grace of healing can be felt and experienced.” “A penitent may grow in faith and trust as the Sacrament of Reconciliation presents an opportunity for the penitent to draw ever closer to God. One’s ego must be pushed aside to allow one’s soul to be freed of sin. A penitent may ask the priest if some direction is needed to express their confession. The person may be struggling to find the graces needed to find the inner peace they so much long for. Consequently, I have experienced many wonderful encounters as well as compassionate priests more than willing to walk with me in the confessional. For example, it was as if Jesus was holding my hand and guiding his priest to help me experience the reward of a good confession. Therefore, the sacrament resulted in peace of mind and a feeling that God loves me no matter what. We all need to remind ourselves that God is bigger than our sins.”
“We can imagine that Christ awaits at the door of our hearts, our very souls to create us anew, much as the Prodigal Father stood waiting for the return of his wayward (rebellious) son. We all need that personal connection. We have the opportunity to come to the sacrament seeking a variety of gifts, assurance, forgiveness, comfort, freedom from guilt and offering of hope. To put it bluntly we enter the sacrament to encounter and meet Christ. As the Church teaches, Christ is present and the penitent is heard by Christ. In this point, I see how our actions and words can open the “door” and help us “see” Christ in a personable way. Therefore, a result that may lead one to feel shocked in a way that Christ has become “clearer” in their life in ways never felt possible or imagined. That is what “sacrament” is all about! Grace comes from God, as the priest is instrumental and the penitent benefits as receptor. All is then accomplished in God’s time. Opportunities present themselves if we act and accept the blessings of the sacramental graces which can create us anew in Christ. Here the priest has fulfilled what Christ’s priest is: an instrument of love, forgiveness and hope. Can we accept our place at the door and then open it? Communication is so important! Just think if the faithful father did not go out to meet the wayward son but simply instructed his servants that he wanted to talk with him.
“The sacrament exists not to show how bad we are but how loving and gracious our Lord is for his people. Sacramental reconciliation is a means to conversion, a means by which we can continue to grow spiritually and psychologically. In addition, it is a way of experiencing God’s mercy, pardon and peace. The Roman Catholic Church teaches us that the sacrament is all about free forgiveness of sin and conversion -an experience that I have felt many times throughout my life when I have lived outside of God’s realm. A wonderful and great spiritual awakening is to have the weight of sin removed from your life. One can live only so long in darkness until one must surrender. We are truly blessed as Roman Catholics to have this sacrament. Hence, the wondrous experience of free forgiveness and conversion awaits us in the confessional resulting in special graces and a deeper meaningful relationship with Christ. Nevertheless, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a mysterious encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, a real blessing awaits each of us and the graces are so very bountiful, God’s love and mercy is so infinite and unwarranted.”
NAB Scriptures, Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], References and Sources for the above Spiritual Warfare-Breastplate of Righteousness
Spiritual Warfare & Spiritual Attacks:
CCC2516 The Church tells us in the Catechism paragraph #2516 Because man is a composite being, spirit and body, there already exists a certain tension in him; a certain struggle of tendencies between “spirit” and “flesh” develops. But in fact this struggle belongs to the heritage of sin. It is a consequence of sin and at the same time a confirmation of it. It is part of the daily experience of the spiritual battle
CCC407 By our first parents’ sin, the devil has acquired a certain domination over man, even though man remains free. Original sin causes captivity under the power of the devil who subsequently had the power of death.
Ephesians 6:12 “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.”
Revelation 12:10-13 “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a shore time.” NAB note: The accuser: the meaning of the Hebrew word “Satan”
Philippians 4:19 “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 4:4 “And even though our gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so that they may not see the light of the gospel or the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Signs of A Spiritual Attack:
Experiencing opposition to keep people from coming closer to or even hearing about Jesus Christ.
Feeling accused and condemned and craving to be isolated in your misery.
Starting to doubt God’s goodness and make you want to throw a pity-party for yourself.
Involves lies and deceit because the enemy is the father of lies. [John 8:44]
Feeling a strong incentive to divide and separate yourself from other Christians. [Eph 4:1-6]
Trying to talk you into staying angry and holding on to every hurt with deep resentment and unforgiveness. [Eph 4:27]
John 8:44 “You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies”
Ephesians 4:1-6 “I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, 27 and do not leave room for the devil.”
Hebrews 2:14-15 “Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.”
Spiritual warfare: Defense, protect and destroy
Righteousness defined
CCC1991 “Justification is at the same time the acceptance of God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness (or “justice”) here means the rectitude of divine love. With justification, faith, hope, and charity are poured into our hearts, and obedience to the divine will is granted us”
CCC 2819: “The kingdom of God [is] righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;”
Righteousness received-Sacraments of Baptism & Reconciliation
Romans 5:19 “For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son”. “So that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
CCC 1992 “… Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life”
CCC 2017 “The grace of the Holy Spirit confers upon us the righteousness of God. Uniting us by faith and Baptism to the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, the Spirit makes us sharers in his life.”
CCC1405 “There is no surer pledge or clearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth “in which righteousness dwells,” than the Eucharist. Every time this mystery is celebrated, “the work of our redemption is carried on” and we “break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 4:24 “put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”
Indelible Sacraments
CCC 698 “The seal is a symbol close to that of anointing. “The Father has set his seal” on Christ and also seals us in him.50 Because this seal indicates the indelible effect of the anointing with the Holy Spirit in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders”
CCC1994 “Justification is the most excellent work of God’s love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit.” It is the opinion of St. Augustine that “the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth,” because “heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect . . . will not pass away.” He holds also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice,” in that it bears witness to a greater mercy.”
Losing Righteousness
CCC 398 “In that sin man preferred himself to God and by that very act scorned him. He chose himself over and against God, against the requirements of his creaturely status and therefore against his own good. Constituted in a state of holiness, man was destined to be fully “divinized” by God in glory. Seduced by the devil, he wanted to “be like God,” but “without God, before God, and not in accordance with God.”
Matthew 4:3-10 “3 The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” 4 He said in reply, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’ the devil “said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’ “Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”10 At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’”
CCC 1993 “Justification establishes cooperation between God’s grace and man’s freedom. On man’s part it is expressed by the assent of faith to the Word of God, which invites him to conversion, and in the cooperation of charity with the prompting of the Holy Spirit who precedes and preserves his assent:
When God touches man’s heart through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, man himself is not inactive while receiving that inspiration, since he could reject it; and yet, without God’s grace, he cannot by his own free will move himself toward justice in God’s sight.”
Breastplate of Righteousness Restored
CCC 1848 “But to do its work grace must uncover sin so as to convert our hearts and bestow on us “righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 5:20-21] Like a physician who probes the wound before treating it, God, by his Word and by his Spirit, casts a living light on sin”.
CCC 1989 The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus’ proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”38 Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high. “Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.”
Benefits of guarding your heart with the breastplate of Righteousness
Ezekiel 36:25-27 “25 I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”
The attack: Experiencing opposition to keep people from coming closer to or even hearing about Jesus Christ;
The benefit of righteousness: You keep trying– knowing your God can provide for all their needs in the richness of his glory.
The attack: Feeling accused and condemned or craving to be isolated in your misery. The benefit of righteousness: Fortitude to continue and trusting God’s Divine Mercy
The attack: Starting to doubt God’s goodness and making you want to throw a pity-party for yourself. The benefit of righteousness: Peace and ability to recognize that God can bring good from evil thus overcome it.
The attack: Involving lies and deceit. Because the enemy is the father of lies. The benefit of righteousness: Wisdom of God to recognize truth.
The attack: Feeling a strong incentive to divide and separate yourself from other Christians. The benefit of righteousness: is the Communion of Saints. In Christ you are not alone. And recognizing Christ in Christians brings unity.
The attack: Trying to talk you into staying angry and holding on to every hurt with deep resentment and unforgiveness. The benefit of righteousness: inner healing and forgiveness
Conclusion Summary
1 Overall use of spiritual warfare– defense, protect and destroy
2 Righteousness of Jesus Christ
3 Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation deliver the righteousness to us.
4. Baptism remains always
5 The enemy longs for you to deny and reject righteousness–the only way it can be penetrated.
6 Reconciliation “polishes” and removes the filth that accumulates so that it does not become so burdened with sin that you want to remove it because of its heaviness. Caked with personal sin and bitterness it seems to be the problem instead of the solution.
7 Benefits of guarding your heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness.
Truth: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 10:10 “the thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly”.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
“In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was ________.” Tell how long since your last confession. “Since that time I have sinned by ______.” Tell your sins. Listen to the priest, answer any questions he might ask, listen for your penance. Say your Act of Contrition. Receive absolution. Tell Father “Thank you.” After you leave the Reconciliation Room, do your penance.
