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Read: Ephesians 6:14
Listen: Ephesians 6

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14

A Roman soldier heading into battle knows one exposed chest wound could end everything. The breastplate would be used to protect his most valuable organs. Paul uses this metaphor to explain the kind of protection that believers need to withstand the battles of life. The breastplate of righteousness protects their hearts, the deepest part of a believer’s spiritual life. Because of Jesus, they are declared both not guilty and perfectly righteous. This righteousness is not gained because of anything done on their own, but because of the work of Jesus on the cross and faith in him (Philippians 3:8-9).

We can also be made right with God when we have faith in Jesus. Whatever is in our hearts, we’re invited to bring it to Jesus and trust him with it. We can turn to him with our feelings of shame, fear and insecurity—whether the shame of a past we can’t undo, the fear that we’ll never be enough or the insecurity that creeps in when we compare ourselves to others. Because of Jesus, we no longer stand before God marked by guilt or condemnation but fully clothed in his righteousness. Our hearts can be comforted in knowing we are secure, not because of our own abilities but because of Jesus and his work on the cross.

TODAY: If you’ve never received the gift of salvation through Jesus, you can do so right now. Pray and invite him into your life, receiving his forgiveness through the cross. If you are taking this step for the first time, please email us at btw@adabible.org.