The second piece of armor commended to the christian soldier is the breastplate, and the metal it is to be made of is righteousness—practical righteousness, blameless conduct, a holy walk with God. This gives courage in the day of battle. It would matter little what else the christian warrior possessed, if he was without his breastplate. The most vital part would be exposed to the enemy’s fire. Besides, being a center piece, it gives unity to the whole. If a man’s conscience reproaches him, and if he knows that the world would reproach him if it knew all, how can he hold up his head and face the enemy boldly? He is thinking about himself, fearing detection and exposure. His breastplate is gone, he fears the blow may fall on the unprotected part. “The righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Psalm 11:7; 34:15, 16.
When the thoughts and affections are governed and kept in order by the truth, there will be a good conscience—a holy and a righteous walk with God and before men. This association of ideas seems beautifully united in Eph. 4:24: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness;” or, the “righteousness and holiness of truth.” The truth produces both. Hence the beauty of the divine order. First, the heart; second, the conduct. Righteousness is the due attention to what we owe relatively to God and man. As says the apostle, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:10.) This is practical righteousness—a righteousness which gave the apostle amazing courage, holy boldness, when he stood up before his enemies. Holiness is rather that which repels evil—instinctively repelling that which is contrary to God. Thus the happy combination of the “righteousness and holiness of truth” form the sterling metal of the Christian’s breastplate.
And now, see that thou well understandest this important truth, Ο my soul. To lose a good conscience is to be robbed of thy strength in the day of conflict. Only he who has a good conscience can be bold and fearless when called to go forth and face the enemy. But need I remind thee, before closing our meditations on the breastplate, that the righteousness we have been speaking about is quite distinct from the righteousness of God, in which we stand accepted in Christ Jesus? He is our righteousness, complete and unchangeable in the presence of God; but not in the character of a breastplate. All conflict is over there. But while here we need practical righteousness for successful conflict with our adversary the devil. Nevertheless, the righteousness of God which we are made in Christ Jesus is the foundation of the other. Without the knowledge of this we should be feeble warriors, and an easy prey to Satan’s wiles. He who made our peace and finished our righteousness is now in the presence of God for us. Blessed Lord, maintain us while down here in practical righteousness, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. See 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 3:21, 22; 10:3, 4.