4. The Breastplate of Righteousness

What is the breastplate of righteousness?

This reminds us of the importance of living, righteous and holy before God and doing things which are good.

Why is it important to live righteous?

1. God expects it - Being God's children, we should mirror and copy who God is and one of God's main characteristics is His righteousness [ 1 Peter 1:15-16]

2. Righteousness protects you [Proverbs 13:6] -  When you live  in disobedience  to disobeying God, there are consequences that come with those choices. When you choose to live righteously or in righteousness, you are able to avoid those consequences and live the a fulfilling life that God wants would have wanted you to have.

3. God hates sin and unrighteousness [Matthew 7:21-23,Proverbs 6:16-19,Psalm 5:4-5]  - If you participate in living an unrighteous life, even if you had initially made a decision to follow Jesus, that relationship with him is  will be impacted by the fact that you have not turned away from doing things that are against God’s will. 

-  Jesus said, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? [Luke 6:46] 

-  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth [Revelation 3: 15-16]

- Jesus also made other similar declarations about the importance of holiness/obedience to God. [John 14:21, John 15:4-7, John 14:15, 1 John 5:3, Matthew 22:37-40]

How do you put on the breastplate of righteousness and live righteously

1. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the fruit of the spirit, goodness being one of the fruit of the spirit  [Galatians 5:22-23,John 14:13]

2. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to remove any character, trait or habit of yours that is not in line with God's will [If you’re really struggling with a sin, you should consider deliverance] [John 14:13,Matthew 17:20-21]

3. The Bible says you were saved to do the good works that you were created to do [Ephesians 2:8-10]. Prayerfully ask God for a ministry that he wants you to do to help others and fulfill the role He has set you apart for.

4. Also love your neighbor as you love yourself and help those who God calls you to help[Mark 12:30-31, James 2:14-17]. If you feel like “I'm not being called to help anyone”, pray and ask God for love, so that you will feel more inclined towards reaching out, helping others and living more like Christ.

Take Home Tasks

1. Ask God to reveal any areas in your life not in line with His will and for the willingness to face them.

2. Pray and ask Holy spirit to give you the fruit of the spirit

3. Ask God for a ministry that He wants you to be a part of.

4. Ask a leader to help or find areas how you can get involved in ministry

   1. Here is are a list of possible ministries that you can take part in:

5. Do a quiz on spiritual gifts to help understand what your strengths are to see best what you can do.

MENTOR’S NOTE/EVALUATION

1. Are they involved in ministry to uplift the kingdom?

2. Have they been praying for the fruit of the spirit?

3. Have you noticed a change in how they act and behave around others?

   1. Evaluate the fruit of the Spirit

4. Do they give tithes or offerings?

5. What spiritual gifts do you see growing?Are they being used?