The Whole Armor of God—Helmet of Salvation
1/13/2018

 
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"  (Ephesians 6:17)

 

This war confronting every child of God is not a war with flesh and blood but against supernatural, evil powers.  Even though Satan can attack through people, it is really something deeper and more sinister than meets the eye.  Paul said that before our conversion we were following "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:1-3).  That is why we need the spiritual armor. In no other way can we win the battle against evil.

 

Roman Helmets were beaten out of a single sheet of iron or brass affording greater protection for the soldiers. Helmets were often crowned with a knob or spike designed for the attachment of crests as well as frequently having tubes attached at the side of the bowl of the helmet for feathers.  As one commentary points out, "The helmet protects the head, the part of the body most vital to our quality of life. It is the thinking part where choices and judgments are made, where attitudes reside and surge forth in conduct. It is the part that holds knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and memories of life's experiences, that determines the kind of life we lead. It is that part where Satan aims most of his fiery darts."

 

In (I Thessalonians 5:8) Paul said, "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  The hope of salvation serves to motivate us to live righteously and not lose sight of the glorious end of God's purpose of saving us eternally.  Paul describes how powerful this hope is: "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" (Romans 8:24-25).

 

When Peter said, "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming" (I Peter 1:13), he does not mean we should desire it and then be uncertain of it. The coming of Christ is a matter of complete confidence for all the writers in the New Testament.  We should be fully confident that Jesus is coming again and will receive His people and present them to the Father (I Corinthians 15:24).  The Hebrew writer also said, "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized" (Hebrews 6:11).

 

We need to remember that God has chosen us; Jesus has redeemed us; and the Holy Spirit has sealed us. It is time we put on the helmet of salvation and wear it with confidence.

 

The Word of God will keep you from being gullible to Satan's deceptions.

 

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

 

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

 

In every condition, in sickness, in health;

In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth;

At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,

As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

 

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

 

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

 

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

 

Even down to old age all My people shall prove

My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

 

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to its foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

 

This hymn is believed to have been written by a man named Robert Keen and it is believed to have first been brought to the United States by Dr. John Rippon, a Baptist minister from London, England. There is dispute on who wrote it because the only original copy known to exist came with Dr. Rippon and it was signed only with a 'K'. The composer of the musical accompaniment is not known but it is thought that the music was written in 1787. It is also believed that this hymn was written based upon the scripture verses found in Isaiah 43:1-7.

 

"Daily Devotions by Guy Roberson"

Walnut Street Church of Christ

 






Direct Page Link
Powered By
TheLordsWay.com
Click here to host your
own church web site today!