"Take the helmet of salvation..." (Eph. 6:17a
NIV)
Back in the day when these verses about our
spiritual armor were penned, the helmet was a vital piece of equipment
for the roman soldiers. They wouldn’t go out without their helmets, for
one knock on the head from an enemy sword or other weapon would mean
their end.
Helmets serve equally important functions in
our day. It is crazy for a motorbiker to ride without a helmet, and with
what we know about the brain and how easily it can be injured, helmets
are standard equipment for biking, skateboarding, horseback riding, even
skiing, etc. Like the Romans, we know that one knock to the head by…well
anything…and it would potentially mean the end of life as we know it.
Looking at it from a slightly different angle,
with the Coronavirus pandemic, a standard piece of equipment is the
mask. It may not protect the brain, but it provides protection to vital
parts of the head as well. A doctor or frontline worker wouldn’t think
of treating COVID-19 patients without masks, and sometimes even shields.
Doesn’t it stand to reason, then, that we must
also protect our spiritual heads?
Let’s think for a moment about how many times
we go out and do thoughtless things each day. We hurt people with our
words and actions, often without even meaning to. (Isn’t’ this why David
cries out to God in Ps. 19:12: "But who can discern their own errors.
Forgive my hidden faults." NIV).
To put it a different way, how often don’t we
find ourselves falling into the traps of insecurity and poor
self-esteem? We hear the devil calling out to us that we aren’t worthy,
we’re not pretty enough, we can’t do it, someone else is
thinner/stronger/better…And we so often fall into temptation of other
types as well!
Let’s remember that temptation begins in the
mind: "…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their
own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives
birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
(James 1:14-15 NIV). This "dragging" away by our "own evil desires",
this enticement, this all happens in the mind, which is in our heads!
Why are we so susceptible to temptation? Why are we so apt to fall into
the traps of insecurity? Because we are not protecting our heads against
the evils of the enemy!
What is this spiritual helmet that we are told
to put on?
"Take the helmet of SALVATION" (Eph. 6:17a
NIV)
Salvation. We are saved by the grace of God
through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. His blood covers ALL of our
sins: "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood,
shed on the cross." (Col 1:20 NIV); and "How much more, then, will the
blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to
death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Heb. 9:14 NIV).
The problem is, many Christians doubt their
salvation. They feel they have to DO something, even though the Apostle
Paul is clear: "it is by grace you have been saved. in order that in the
coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,
expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. not by works, so that
no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)
When we doubt our salvation, we are in
essence, choosing to NOT wear the "helmet of Salvation" that God has
given us to protect our minds.
If you doubt your salvation, I would suggest
that you spend some time meditating on these verses. If you have given
yourself completely to Jesus and have accepted His gift of the cross,
then you are saved! Put doubt aside! Rise up in trust! For when you do,
you are protecting your mind against the evils of the devil!
If you have never truly given yourself over to
God, then that helmet of Salvation is not yet available to you. Why not
answer the Saviour’s call today? You can do so in one of two simple
ways: You can view our Salvation video, or you can visit the Saviour’s
Call by clicking here.
Put on that helmet of salvation. Trust in the
blood of Jesus for your redemption from sin, for when you do, you are
protecting your mind against temptation.
Join us on Friday for the last part of the
"God’s Armament" devotional series as we learn about the last piece of
God’s armor: The Sword of the Spirit.
Rob Chaffart