Christian Are You Dressed? Part 3

Good day. Today we are posting the newsletter Christian! Are you Dressed? Part 3 written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka, Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writing for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

   Christian! Are you Dressed?     v18n19
   To the Armory! Part 3
  
"And having on the breastplate of righteousness." Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)

From the last issue, if you will recall, we talked about your loins being girt about with the truth. These are abilities that we are given, the moment that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We have to open the Christian instruction manual (the Bible) and find out what we have received!

All to often, we want someone else to do the work for us. We want to be spoon fed. We have to develop spiritually, just as a child does. That is why the Lord told us that we have to become as little children. We have to start fresh. Get rid of all of the old ideas and garbage that was religion; and learn from His Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

The truth is what it took to become born-again, the new creation in Christ. Now we have to start to learn of what was afforded to us as an adopted child of God.

Thus, having on the breastplate of righteousness! We now have to recognize how we have been translated into the kingdom of God. What is our ticket to fellowship with the Father? Is it anything that you could do? Is it anything within your own power?

What was the purpose of the breastplate?

It was used to cover the vital organs, the heart, lungs, and areas that provided for the strength and well-being of the body. The areas necessary to sustain life.

The breastplate, also bore the insignia, of who the soldier served. Important, so you would recognize your own troops in combat.

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption;" 2 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV)

"But unto everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 4:7 (KJV)

When you accepted Jesus Christ, did you accept all of Him or just a part of Him? It is impossible for anyone, to accept only part of Christ! You receive all of Him! You may not understand all that you have received, but it does not mean that it is not yours. Jesus Christ accomplished a complete work; nothing lacking! It is this righteousness that covers my heart. This is the abundant life that He provided for each and every one that will believe.

Do you remember back in the gospel of John, where the Lord tells us that we will do the works that he did; and greater works than these, because he was going to the Father? How could he tell us this unless he would give us everything necessary to accomplish this? He told us in Mark sixteen, that these signs would follow those who believe in the message of salvation by Jesus Christ. Is he a liar? Not hardly! Refresh yourself in Romans 3:4. God is not a man that He should lie! He does exactly as he says. And all that we have to do, is to believe His Word! Then, to act upon it. If, he gave more to one, than he did to another, it would make him a respecter of persons, and we know that is not so!! Thus, you have to recognize, the righteousness that has been given to you. It is this righteousness that covers your heart. It bears the insignia of God's kingdom.

"I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a diadem." Job 29:14 (KJV)

"Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline thine ear unto me, and save me." Psalms 71:2 (KJV); (read all of Psalms 71)

"Who has delivered us from the power of darkness." Colossians 1:13 (KJV)

"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all by them that believe; for there is no difference." Romans 3:21-22 (KJV)

Remember, that our comparison is of that to the Roman foot soldier. First, the girdle of truth was established, and then the breastplate of righteousness is fastened into place and secured by the truth. Notice that they go together! If you do not know the truth, you can not understand the righteousness that has been afforded unto you.

Has Father forgiven you all of your sins? You have to understand the truth of Father's forgiveness, if you are to understand the righteousness that He has made available to you.

“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as of the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath been taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him.” 1 John 2:26-29 (KJV)

If you continue in his Word, then are you, his disciple. His ensignia will be that which is on your breastplate. It identifies you as one of his! When you abide in His Word, He abides in you!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 (KJV)

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” Romans 10:2-4 (KJV)

Do you really understand the righteousness that has been made available to you?

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 (KJV)

That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ,
Larry Gazelka

​Word Corner
Righteousness--- free from wrong or sin! doing what is right! justified!