Every generation faces the danger of embracing popular themes of the Christian faith while at the same time neglecting others, even those that are obviously central concerns. Among Bible-believing evangelicals we have embraced the doctrines of salvation by grace through faith, and the doctrines of life in the Spirit, but have often neglected the biblical themes of personal ethical behavior. We have often embraced grace while ignoring the issues of moral and social righteousness - a central teaching of God's Word. Today we are examining putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness in our spiritual armor. This aspect of our spiritual armor, and the Belt of Truth we examined last week, have to do with personal integrity - the willingness and the decision to see things as they truly are, and to stand for what is right. One of the common tricks of the devil is to deceive us into not caring about other people, and making the Christian experience all about our own personal joy and happiness. Christ, however, calls us to look at others with compassion and seek to do the right thing in this life. As we examine this spiritual armor, I pray that God would make us truly compassionate people. We will not always find complete agreement on how to express this compassion of God in the political arena, but we should agree, as brothers and sisters in Christ, with how to do this in our hearts and in our personal actions. Followers of Christ should help those who cannot help themselves. - Pastor David Packer
