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Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why do I keep falling as a Christian?” You want to do what’s right, yet you keep stumbling. You want to honor God, yet you fall short.

You’re not alone—even the apostle Paul felt the same struggle.

Romans 7:20–21 (NASB)
“But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.”

Being righteous is hard. Really hard. But the Bible gives us powerful insight into why righteousness feels so difficult—and where true righteousness actually comes from.

Where Does Righteousness Come From?

Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, and included in that armor is the “breastplate of righteousness.”

Ephesians 6:14 (NASB)
“Stand firm therefore… having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

But in another passage, Paul describes this breastplate differently:

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NASB)
“Having put on the breastplate of faith and love…”

Why does he change the wording?

Because righteousness is the result of two things: faith and love.

Righteousness doesn’t begin with perfect behavior. It begins with believing God and loving God.

1. Faith Produces Righteousness

Scripture is clear that righteousness comes through faith.

Genesis 15:6 (NASB)
“Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:3 (NASB)
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

The word “credited” means “to pass to one’s account.”
Imagine opening your spiritual bank account before Jesus:

Balance: zero
Worthiness: zero
Goodness: zero

Then Jesus transfers into your account:

Worthy
Forgiven
Blessed
Righteous
Loved

You didn’t earn it. You didn’t work for it. Jesus put it there.

This is why Paul connects righteousness to faith. When you believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit places the breastplate of righteousness on you.

What Did Jesus Want Us to Believe About Him?

He is the Messiah (John 4:26)
He was sent from God (John 17:21)
He and the Father are one (John 14:11)
He is the way to God (John 14:6)
He has divine authority (Matthew 28:18)
He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25–26)
He invites the weary and the broken (Matthew 11:28; John 6:37)

When we believe these truths, God clothes us in righteousness.

2. Love Produces Righteousness

Faith makes us righteous before God.
Love makes us live righteously for God.

Jesus said:

John 14:21 (NASB)
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.”

Many people believe in God.
Few truly love Him.

Why does love lead to obedience?

Because of what it’s like to be close to God.

David describes God’s presence beautifully in Psalm 16:

“You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” (v.2)
“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” (v.11)
“At Your right hand are pleasures forever.” (v.11)

When you’ve tasted God’s goodness, you want to stay close to Him.
But sin pushes us away.

Isaiah 59:2 (NASB)
“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God…”

We obey because we love being near God and don’t want to lose that closeness.

Love Makes Us Righteous Toward Others

Romans 13:10 (NASB)
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

When you love someone, you naturally do what’s right.

Think of this example:
Someone cuts you off on the highway, and you get angry.
Then you pass the car and realize it’s your mom.
Instantly, everything changes.

Love transforms your response.

And Scripture tells us:

1 John 3:14 (NASB)
“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.”

When we put our faith in Christ, God gives us love for His people.

So How Do We Put On the Breastplate of Righteousness?

It’s actually very simple:

Believe in Jesus Christ.
Believe what He told us to believe about Himself.
Love God and love each other.

Without faith and love, we cannot wear His armor.
With faith and love, righteousness becomes both a gift and a lifestyle.

A Prayer for Righteousness

God, give us faith through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit.
Put inside of us a deep love for You, our neighbors, and the people of God.
We know righteousness comes from having faith in Jesus and love in our hearts, not from our own efforts.
Thank You for crediting righteousness to us by faith.
Help us love You, not in words only, but through obedience rooted in real love.
We love You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.