What made Paul realize that he was foolish in his estimation of own worth was a sudden glimpse that he had of himself through God's eyes. If you were to examine yourself through God's eyes, even for a few minutes, you will undoubtedly come to some equally illuminating conclusions about your own sense of righteousness. The only righteousness that matters is God's, but what is it and how do we obtain it?

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus became sin for us, which he then nailed to the cross with his death, and proceeded to give us eternal life with his resurrection — and the automatic righteousness of God! To obtain it, all we have to do is have faith in Jesus! And then, with this righteousness, we don't have to worry anymore about whether we are good enough for God or if our past sins will be an obstacle in receiving God's blessings; we are simply made righteous!

It is sometimes hard for us to comprehend that our sins are all forgiven and that none of our unrighteous deeds are held against us, but it is true. We can go boldly to God as if we had done nothing wrong and know that God will make us right with him simply because we believe and accept the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. Do take a minute to absorb this because it is a fundamental — and extremely powerful — precept of the Christian faith that not all are aware of!

But the story does not end here. There is double sided protection available in God's righteousness. Not only does it defend our conscience from all the wounds inflicted by past sin and failtures, it keeps us safe from wounds that might be inflicted in future! God's righteousness imparts something of God in us, something which gives us the power to put sin away. This is his Holy Spirit. To wear the breastplate of righteousness with any degree of efficacy, we need to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and keep the power of holiness and righteousness in our life and conduct. Only to the extent that we live in union and fellowship with Christ do we become the righteousness of God!

There is another element of the breastplate of righteousness in addition to faith and that is love.

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate ... (1 Thes. 5:8)

The breastplate of righteousness is also a breastplate of faith and love. While faith is the essential element of the breastplate, it is a faith that works only through love. Paul speaks about this in yet another letter, this one to the Galatians.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6)

If we wear our breastplate of righteousness without love, like a lot of people do, it leaves open many chinks in the armor. If we are able to coat our breastplate with love, however, we are practically impregnable. Love, as Paul says in his beautiful letter to the Corinthians, always protects. It also never fails. [see Lessons in Love]

May the Spirit be with you.