The Armor Series, Part 5

“Take the helmet of salvation.” Ephesians 6:17

One of the pieces of our spiritual armor is the helmet of salvation, and is not a piece of equipment to be underestimated. 

Satan’s target: Your mind  |  Satan’s weapon: Lies

The enemy wants to make us doubt God and our salvation. The helmet protects our minds from doubting the truth of God’s saving work for us. The Roman helmet, like helmets today, protected the head from the attacks of the enemy.

What does salvation have to do with a helmet?

We can receive tremendous hope and comfort by focusing on the incredible sacrifice Christ gave to save us, and the amazing Kingdom that is the goal of our salvation. This hope works like a helmet to protect our minds from the discouragement and despair in this world. (read 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

Christians are called out of this world. Though we remain in it, we are not of it and remain separate from it. Our way of living and even of thinking should differ from the worlds. We are to develop the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), and that means having God’s laws written on our hearts and minds so we can remember to always obey God. (read John 17:15-16)

Our enemy hates that we have chosen this path and will stop at nothing to destroy us because of it. Just as the helmet protects the vital but vulnerable head from otherwise fatal blows, the hope of salvation can protect our thoughts from our enemy’s attacks and temptations to disobey God. (read 1 Peter 5:8-9)

Without the helmet of salvation, we will be unprotected from the “cares of this world” that bombard our thoughts and feelings. Imagine not knowing what the future ultimately holds. The worries and problems produced by living in this world would overwhelm us! (read Matthew 13:22)

How do I keep the helmet secure?

Remember that salvation comes from God, and that God is on our side. If we commit to fully follow and obey Him, it is impossible for us to lose our battle or our salvation. (read Psalm 3:8)

Paul had the vision. He valued his salvation highly and diligently fought the good fight. As the end of his life drew near, he was able to say with complete confidence that he would receive the crown.

When Paul awakes in the first resurrection, he will trade in his soldier’s helmet for a far more glorious, imperishable and eternal crown of righteousness—the crown of a victorious soldier of Christ. We, too, can be assured of victory so long as we—like Paul—faithfully follow our God and His commandments from our heart and mind.  (read 2 Timothy 4:6-8)

This is the salvation we are fighting for—to enter this glorious Kingdom! Never lose sight of this. This coming Kingdom, with its worldwide peace and prosperity, makes every price in this life worth paying. No matter what comes, no matter how vicious the attacks our enemy lands on us, we know that as long as we remain with God, we are moving slowly but unstoppably toward an eternal victory. What wouldn’t we give for that? (read Revelation 21:1-4)

What is salvation?

Salvation basically means to be saved or delivered from something (see examples in Exodus 14:13 and Micah 7:6-8).

In the New Testament, as we will see, it is generally used to refer to deliverance from the eternal death penalty of sin and deliverance into God’s Kingdom.

What is the penalty of our sins, and how can we be saved from that penalty?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  Romans 5:8-10

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  John 3:16-17

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  1 Timothy 2:3-4

To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins. Luke 1:77

• Every human being has thought and acted in ways that are abominable to God.
• Our sins break God’s beautiful living laws designed for our good.
• Sin is so vile to God that it requires the death
• God’s justice requires that penalty.
• But God’s loving mercy provided the most incredible substitute.
• Jesus Christ, our Creator, was willing to die in our place!
• To be saved, we need a Savior.

How do we receive salvation?

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

It is important to understand that salvation cannot be earned. It is a gift from God and not something we can obtain through the right actions, thus obligating God to give it to us. Still, as we’ve seen in the scriptures covered so far, repentance (abhorring our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness and help to obey His laws), faith, accepting Christ’s sacrifice and coming to the knowledge of the truth are all steps in accepting the free gift. In no way do these efforts make up for our sins that caused the death of our Creator and Savior!

Is salvation a permanent, irrevocable gift, or does it have to be maintained?

The New Testament tells us that we “have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5), that we “are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18) and that we “will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). What does this mean for us?

Paul makes it clear that “have been saved” equates to the forgiveness of sins and coming under God’s grace. We have been taken off death row.  Ephesians 2:4-8

Salvation can also describe the ongoing conversion process. Paul also calls this being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

Two very important and vital words in this study are helmet and salvation.  Some may not remember when motorcyclists were not required to wear a helmet.  Eventually it was the law to wear a helmet and they were not happy about it; and became law for those on bicycles also.  Why? It is a proven fact that helmets save lives.  Salvation from sin is much more important; but it will never be a law.  Many resist salvation; however, it is available for all who will accept this free gift.  Salvation protects us from the penalty of sin which is eternal death.  The helmet of salvation brings peace in knowing to whom you belong and protects your mind from the attack of the evil one who will make you doubt the finished work of Christ and your salvation.

Don’t leave home without your helmet of salvation.  Your life will depend on it.

Rev. Rosita