A Righteous Standard

Ephesians 6:14 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

 Truth is our foundational garment and must be well intact.  The breastplate covers and protects the heart against evil and deceptive attacks.

Righteousness is defined as behavioral and moral perfection.  God, in all His perfect character, is the standard.  We cannot attain this perfection.  But righteousness is possible by being cleansed of sin by Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The believer possesses the righteousness of Jesus because -

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us so that God's righteousness would be produced in us.

We can stand before God in clean white garments thanks to Jesus' exchange for our sins for His perfect righteousness.  We are renewed and act upon new principles, rules, and goals.  Our hearts are not just set right; a new heart is given to us.  We are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Matthew 6:33 (ISV) First, be concerned about God's kingdom and His righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well.

(KJV) Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Psalm 91:1  The one who lives in the shelter of the Most High, who rests in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "You are my refuge, my fortress, and my God in whom I trust!"

Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  

Psalm 119:24  I take joy in Your decrees, for they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:111 I have inherited Your decrees forever because they are the joy of my heart.

Isaiah 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request.  Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints.

Romans 8:29-30  For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that the Son might be the firstborn among many and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified He also glorified.

O Lord, this day I pray - Search me and know my heart.  Try me, and know my thoughts.  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  (Psalm 139:23-24)