The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)
So far, we have seen how the armor is essentially made up of different gifts God has shown to us in Jesus. Each one is like a treasure that we must pick up and put on. He started with the truth, which is the belt that gives us the ability to move swiftly. Then he moved to righteousness or holy living, our breastplate, protecting all of our vital organs. Third, he tells us to put the readiness given by the gospel of peace as shoes for our feet. We can be ready to face trials, temptations and to accomplish good works because of the gospel of peace. Last time, we looked at putting on the shield of faith that extinguishes the flaming arrows of Satan. Faith is a strong belief, trust, and submission to God's will. When we put this shield of faith up, we keep believing that God is good and that he is working all things for our good even when it doesn't look like it.
That leaves us with two pieces of armor. Tonight we will discuss the helmet of salvation. What is the helmet of salvation, why do we need it, and how do we put it on?
The Helmet of Salvation
Ephesians 6:11--17 (ESV) --- 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Everyone knows what a helmet does. Romans would use helmets to protect their heads from the swing of a sword. Without it, a hit to the head would mean instant death. There is no doubt about the value of this piece of armor. But what does he mean when he says a "Helmet of Salvation?" How is salvation a helmet for our head, and how do we "take the helmet of salvation?"
Is it telling us to be saved? That wouldn't make sense because the Ephesians have already been saved since long before Paul wrote this letter. Paul is not calling for them to "be saved" repeatedly in the sense of going through the process of entering into Christ by faith in God's work during baptism. He's not talking about doing that multiple times. So what does he mean?
Salvation
There is a sense that we were saved and that we are being saved and will be saved. There is a past, present, and future sense of salvation. Those in Christ have a hope of salvation right now and in the future. That's what we must take up to protect our thoughts against Satan's deceptions.
Present Salvation From Death
First, we need to understand that we need salvation right now. To illustrate this, let's look at James 4 and use that text to see the hope we have of salvation right now. I can't come up with anything better than this. It's too good.
James 4:1--5 (ESV) --- 1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
This text points out the problems these Christians face. They are fussing and fighting with one another. The root of their problem is that they have passions for this world. They live in spiritual adultery by coveting things that they can't have. Then, they pray to God and get upset about not having what they want. They have made themselves a "friend of the world." Have you ever done this? Have you ever made yourself a friend of the world? Is there ever sin or passion that draws you to it and causes you to fight with others? Since being a Christian, I'm sure we can all put ourselves in this condemnation. We have all made ourselves a friend of the world once or twice, or dozens of times. Some of you may be in that right now.
Meanwhile, there is God yearning jealously over the spirit he has made to dwell in us. He saved us to love him more, but we have gone back to loving the world. Are we at this point hopeless? Have we given up our inheritance for a bowl of soup? Is there no salvation available for us? Notice what James says next.
James 4:6--7 (ESV) --- 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
He gives more grace! If we again turn back to God with humility, we will find more grace. God is full of mercy and grace toward his children. Isn't it a wonderful thing that God's salvation is not just a one-time event? He doesn't expend all of his grace in the initial salvation experience. It remains available to all who trust him and submit to his call for holiness. Notice that when we humble ourselves and submit to God, we resist the devil, and he will flee from us. We have a helmet on, and Satan cannot penetrate it. We can refocus our minds on a love for God and abandon the world's passions and pleasures.
This is part of the salvation helmet that we need to put on. We need to recognize that God's grace is infinitely more abundant than our sin. He can forgive and lift the weak if they remain humble and submissive. By doing that, he removes the power sin has over us. We aren't locked into sinful living. We can give it up again and lock back into God's calling for us. Will you do that? If you live for sin, will you see your spiritual adultery, humble yourself, submit to God, and receive his grace? Satan wants you to say, "No." He wants you to believe that God no longer loves you and that you have gone too far, but he's trying to deceive you. Jesus is calling for you to say, "Yes! I need his grace, and I am again turning away from the pursuit of this world."
Present Salvation From Our Sin
He saves us from the spiritual death that we may be deceived into after we receive the knowledge of the truth. But he also wants to save us from the temptations we are in right now.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) --- 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
He is working right now to help you escape the snare of Satan. His work doesn't end when he removes the body of sin and death in baptism. He is constantly working to sanctify us and lead us to holy living. Why? Because that's his whole purpose for saving us. He wants us to shine as lights!
Future Salvation
It is also crucial for us to recognize future salvation. We have hope for a salvation that is full and final. We long for the day when all that is crooked is made straight (Ecclesiastes). We will be saved from a world full of pain, suffering, grief, anxiety, death, and sin. God will bring us into a new heaven and earth with a new body. All things will be made new.
Romans 8:18--25 (ESV) --- 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
There is a sense in which we enjoy the spiritual blessings now, but Paul also tells us that we are groaning right now as we wait for the day when we will be "set free from bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." All of God's creation is longing for the day when what is broken will be fixed and eternity will be reality once again. We don't yet see this hope, but we are waiting for it with patience.
Philippians 3:8--11 (ESV) --- 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Paul is not just waiting for it, but he is preparing for it. He counts everything as rubbish so that he can attain it. Notice that he is not thinking about this world. He is thinking about the righteousness he currently has through Christ and the future hope he has to be perfect like Christ when this life is over. He puts the hope of future salvation on his head and makes it his only goal in life. He will attain this by any means possible.
Does the future salvation weigh on your mind? Are we constantly longing for that day and seeking to attain it by any means possible? Are you groaning inside for the corruption of the world and the deceitfulness of sin to be over? That's what it means to wear a helmet of salvation. If we take this helmet off, we will stop caring about sin and hope. We will live for the here and now, drink the soup, and lose our inheritance.
Why We Need It
We need this helmet on because Satan constantly tells us lies that go against God's salvation.
1. Satan wants us to believe that God is not working in our lives. He's not saving anyone. He's not transforming anyone. - My wife isn't submitting. My husband isn't sacrificially serving. My children aren't obeying. My neighbors aren't listening. My temptations aren't any easier to overcome. The church isn't growing. We want to change so many things for God to be glorified, but we don't see immediate results. So what do we think? We think God's not working. But he is. We have to wait on him with faith in his promise to save us now and in the future. We may be like Elijah, depressed and confused because we don't see any real change, but God has been working through us in ways we don't understand.
2. Satan wants us to believe that we have gone too far for God's grace to reach us. Does the thought that God knows everything we have ever done scare you? Have you ever said, "I hope I go to heaven?" Brethren, is God's grace not enough for you? These doubts are being put in our minds by Satan. The blood of Christ is precious and able to remove all sin for all time. We need to believe it and submit to God with humble hearts. James also tells us, "If we draw near to him, he will draw near to us." Satan tells us to get away from him, but he wants us as close as possible. The blood of Jesus makes that possible.
How Do We Put It On?
So do we have this helmet on? Why would we ever take it off? There is a constant pull by Satan for us to remove it. He entices us with evil thoughts and discouragements. What can we do to take the helmet of salvation with us wherever we go?
2 Corinthians 10:3--5 (ESV) --- 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
When We Pray
One of the most significant changes I've made is to remind myself of how gracious God is in every prayer. I pray at least three times a day, and I always approach God with a thankful heart because of all that he has revealed to me about his grace. Sure, he is serious about sin and will judge the world because of sin. But as long as I genuinely love him and strive to serve him, I can trust that he will save me. He is gracious beyond what we could ever imagine. Start your prayers remembering that. The daily reminder of his grace in prayers helps us to stop doubting God's word and God's love.
When We Study
The second significant change to make is looking for God's gracious attitude toward those sinning against him. Remind yourself every time you come upon a text that condemns people for sin that God was patient with them until that point. Also, remind yourself that he could save them if they humbled themselves and repented of their sins. Christ has revealed that all things are possible for God. He can save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him.
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV) --- 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
He can save to the uttermost those who trust Jesus to provide past, present, and future salvation. Let that be you and me.
When We Think
Finally, I think Paul's words in 2 Corinthians are essential for us to think about.
2 Corinthians 10:3--5 (ESV) --- 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
We destroy Satan's strongholds. We destroy his arguments and the lofty opinions he raises against God because we believe in this salvation. So we must let our thoughts be captivated by the promise of salvation God offers to us. Our minds must continually loop back to being amazed that such an all-powerful God could call me his son or daughter. He wants to bless me with every spiritual blessing, and he wants to make me into a monument of his power, wisdom, and love for all to see.
Conclusion
Are you wearing the helmet of salvation? You need to receive salvation initially to enter into the joy of a relationship with him. If we can help you, let us know.