It used to be said that Psychologists had the answer to every problem of the heart except one. They could help cure depression. They could put a salve on your anxiety. They could even help you with anger and selfishness, but they couldn’t solve guilt. There was no way they could help absolve you of the guilt that was associated with past sins or current consequences. It continued to plague the modern world until the early ‘90s. It was around this point that a cure began to emerge. What was it you ask? Everything was someone else’s fault.
It is not your fault that you are prone to alcohol addiction. That came about because of your parents. It isn’t your fault you cheated on your spouse. They didn’t meet your needs. In fact, nothing that has happened in your life is a result of any actions or inactions taken by you. You are merely a victim to your circumstances.
We as Christians know better. We are all sinners, and there is no good in any of us save for Christ. We understand that we are not the victims but the culprits. We are what brings about the sin in our life, and truly can blame no other. As a result of this, I have known, and sometimes been one of, many Christians who are so overwhelmed by the guilt of sin in their life that they are immobilized. We are burdened by our sin and our inability to measure up to the godly standards set forth by the Scriptures.
Enter the Breastplate of Righteousness. When Christ died for us, He ultimately substituted His life for ours. He exchanged His sinless perfection for our sin-filled corruption. When we arm ourselves with the Breastplate of Righteousness, we understand that we are equipping ourselves not with our own righteousness but with the righteousness of God. It is not of our power that we are protected but of God’s.
When God went through Egypt and killed all of the first born children, He didn’t look upon the righteousness of those within the House, but for the blood that stained the door posts. When God looks upon us as His children, He does not look upon our righteousness but upon the blood stained garments that cover our sins.
Be not overcome with guilt, for Christ bore that upon Himself when He went to the cross. Free yourself from carrying these burdens, for Christ presented a better way. Put on God’s Righteousness. Cover your vitals with the Righteousness of an utmost Holy God. Guilt has no place in the life of a Christian, for Christ carried away our every sin when we placed our faith in Him.
[Eph 6:14 KJV] 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[Phl 3:9 KJV] 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
[Rom 5:19-21 KJV] 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.