Ephesians 6:13-17-"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the BODY ARMOR OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."Here are two questions I am aiming to answer in this post:
1. What is the benefit of wearing God's armor of righteousness, as opposed to not wearing it?
2. How can we obtain righteousness before God?
Probably the biggest benefit of wearing the righteousness of God is that we KNOW that by our faith, He has forgiven us, and we have become righteous in his sight. Therefore, we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and share in His eternal glory! No one can touch you when you are wearing the righteousness of God. You know where you are going, and you know who is always with you!
Romans 8:31-"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
"Advantages of the Kingdom of God:
1. God has done everything necessary to make our pardon possible.
2. We will not be required to observe the entire Mosaic Law.
3. We are declared legally righteous, justified and acquitted by God.
4. We will not experience God's wrath.
5. We are part of God's kingdom and family.
6. We will not spiral downward into depravity.
7. We experience peace with God.
8. We experience the glory of God.
9. It is a free gift.
10. Inner transformation; we gradually become truly good.
Disadvantages of choosing something but God:
1. No one succeeds.
2. Experience God's just wrath.
3. Miss out on experiencing God and his kingdom.
4. Miss out on the purposeful, abundant life God offers.
5. Miss out on becoming truly good and truly fulfilled."-A church bulletin from a Carmel Church
Please realize that the righteousness that God can give you is so wonderful! And it's free! It comes by faith. John 3:16-"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is our advocate before God. If you have faith in him, confess your sins, and promise to live your life for Him, your sins will be forgiven and you will be declared righteous before God! Jesus payed the price of YOUR sins on the cross, so that you can stand righteous before God. :)
Satan may sometimes trick you into thinking that you have done things so bad, that you can't be forgiven by God, or that you will never be righteous. When he gives you those thoughts, pray for forgiveness, and put on the body armor of God's righteousness! He's with you always, and He will never fail you. Even when you die, you will be protected, for you will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven! God is good!
Deuteronomy 31:6-"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
-Jenna Hampton
with notes from a Church in Carmel, and so many good verses from God's Word!
