Gordon H. Clark: Quote of the Day: The Breastplate of Righteousness

"The soldier's breastplate is righteousness.  Be assured that this righteousness is not the Christian's moral conduct."  -- Gordon H. Clark

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:14-15 NKJ)

"Paul compares the soldier's girdle or belt, used not only as a swordbelt but also as protection for the abdomen, with truth.  Just below, it is the sword itself, and not the girdle, that symbolizes the Word of God, or truth.  Metaphors, we know, can hardly be consistent.  The soldier's breastplate is righteousness.  Be assured that this righteousness is not the Christian's moral conduct.  Such could never defend him against the onslaught of the devil.  In fact, if the Christian depended on his own moral accomplishments, Satan would have already been victorious.  On the contrary, the righteousness that defends us against the devil is Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to us.  The devil can never pierce that breastplate."   

-- Gordon H. Clark.  Commentaries on Paul's Letters:  Ephesians, Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians.  The Works of Gordon Haddon Clark.  Volume 12.  "Ephesians."  (Unicoi:  Trinity Foundation, 2005), page 141.