(Ephesians 6:10-14 ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…

(Ephesians 6:14 ESV) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…

(Isaiah 64:6 NLT) We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

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

(Genesis 3:17 NLT) And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.

(Luke15:17-19 NLT) “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’”

(Luke 15:25-31 NLT) “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’”

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

Questions for Further Reflection

* What stood out to you in this message? What will you take with you?

* The breastplate protected vital organs, including the heart, on Roman armor. Spiritually speaking, why must our heart be protected?

* Contrasting Isaiah 64:6 with 2 Corinthians 5:21, what merit do we have in ourselves and what is the basis of our having "the righteousness of God?"

* Pastor Josh indicated that we do not become the righteousness of God by our good works. Yet we have a desire to "earn" our righteousness. Talk about where that comes from and how you experience this personally.

* In the parable of the prodigal son, there are two brothers. Do you relate to one brother more than the other? Because of the finished work of the cross, if we are "in Christ," how are we like both brothers when it comes to righteousness? (Hint: Neither brother earned anything; they were born into it.)

* Discuss why understanding these statements help me stand firm in my identity in Christ: "Righteousness is not right activity, it’s right standing. Righteousness is not my gift to God, it's his gift to me."

* How do we "put on" the breastplate of righteousness?