‘…since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love...."
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NET
I will remind you that the armour of Ephesians, chapter six included the breastplate of ‘righteousness’ and a ‘shield of faith’. In our verse today we read from Paul to put on a breastplate of faith and love.
Acts chapter 3 tells us about Peter and John going up to the temple at the hour of prayer. They find the lame man at the gate begging for alms and while Peter and John have no silver or gold to give, they do have the name of Jesus and using that, the man is healed. As this created quite a stir, Peter takes opportunity to preach and makes known to all that it was the name, and faith in the name, that gave this man ‘soundness’, ‘wholeness’, ’perfect health’ before all. Acts 3:16.
I was struck again that there is only one thing that can give us the wholeness we desire in life and that is His name and our faith in that name. So back to the armour’s breastplate. It is a breastplate of faith/love and a breastplate of righteousness.
Do you realize how much righteousness is challenged in our lives? I’ve always liked the Amplified Bible’s treatment of the word righteousness, ‘being and doing right’. We don’t normally question our legal state of ‘being the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,’
2 Cor. 5:21, but how much, or how often, do we battle accusations from the devil, others, and even ourself about our state of righteousness? The doing that doesn’t quite measure up to the being. How challenged are we in faith and love? Any area of doubt and unbelief could actually become chinks in our breastplate.
It is the faith that we carry in the work of Jesus, the believing in all that He has provided that gives us the confidence to take up and cover ourselves with His armour. Our adherence to what He has said reigns over all other thoughts.
This breastplate of faith and love requires an absolute confidence in what God has decreed. A breastplate of faith and love guards our hearts. This piece of the armour holds us steady as the earth groans and we are assured that we have not been destined for the wrath God will pour out, rather gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is always, and only, His name and faith in His name that gives us this assurance.
Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on …..