Having on the Breastplate

… having on the breastplate of righteousness ^{Eph. 6:14b KJV} 

Continuing on the armor of God that we are commanded to put on to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might; we are also commanded to have on the breastplate of righteousness – covering our vital organs, we need to always ‘be in right standing’ with God.  Romans 6:13-20 describe this instruction clearly:

Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness.

A RIGHTEOUS MAN is dead to sin and freed of it; ^{Rom. 6} a new creature ^{2 Cor. 5:17-18} and has crucified the flesh; ^{Gal. 5:24} imitates Christ ^{Php. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:21-22; 1 Jn. 2:6} confesses Him ^{Rom. 10:9-10} and are His servants, ^{Eph. 6:6} and the servants of righteousness. ^{Rom. 6:19}  He is holy and without blame, ^{Eph. 1:4} kind and tender hearted, forgiving and merciful ^{Eph. 4:32; Ps. 37:21} patient and longsuffering, ^{Col. 1:11} prayerful. ^{1 Tim. 2:1-4}  A righteous man hates lying ^{Prov. 13:5} abhors wickedness ^{Ps. 101:3-4} quits evil ^{Isa. 1:16-17} sows, ^{Hos. 10:12; Gal. 6:8} seeks ^{Matt. 6:33}  follows ^{Heb. 12:14} and hungers for righteousness. ^{Matt. 5:6}

I choose to be like a tree planted, cultivated, and well-watered; that bring forth fruit in season; my leaves shall not wither; and whatsoever I do, I shall prosper! ^{Ps. 1:3} Cleanse me from secret faults and keep me back from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD. ^{Ps. 19:12-14}