Under Siege Part-6

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17 ESV)

We've spent a long time explaining the armor of God and its protecting abilities against the guiles of the enemy. It has definitely been a learning experience for me and I pray and hope it's been for you as well. And I'm really excited about the next piece of the armor, the helmet of salvation, because it protects our heads, our brain, a very vital part of our bodies. Isn't the enemy of our souls eager to attack that part of our body first? Isn't he eager to infect our minds with lies, deceit, anxiety, doubt, discouragement, depression and whatever else he can come up with to affect our service to God? He knows that all those things, potentially, could be detrimental to the work God has assigned for us and that's why he tries really hard to get in our heads. The Lord designed this element of the armor to really help us protect from such attack.

Now, what kind of helmet was this? James Boice says the following:

"The helmet had a band to protect the forehead and plates for the cheeks, and extended down in back to protect the neck. When the helmet was strapped in place, it exposed little besides the eyes, nose, and mouth. The metal helmets, due to their weight, were lined with sponge or felt. Virtually the only weapons which could penetrate a metal helmet were hammers or axes." That's why enemies, while on their cavalry, their first attempt was a blow to the soldier's head with their sword, which by the way, it was between three and four feet long. This would almost guarantee the soldier's death with just one hit, if hits correctly.

That's the physical part of the helmet. But what about the spiritual meaning? Besides offering protection to our minds, what does Paul mean by calling it the helmet of salvation. John Mcarthur makes a good point when he says Paul couldn't be talking about believing in Christ as Savior, because he's talking to Christians. He goes on to explain three aspects of salvation that I believe we need to be aware of. First, it's justification. This is the past. This is accomplished when we first believe in Christ and place our trust in Him. It's the fact that we were justified on the cross by Christ's death. He was made sin for us so we can be saved. He took the penalty that was meant for us. Second, it's sanctification. This is the present. Like Macarthur puts it, in this life on earth, "we experience a measure of freedom from the dominating power of sin". Even though we still sin, we are no longer slaves to it. That's why he says we have a "measure of freedom" from sin's power. Sanctification is a process. We become more and more repulsive to sin as we grow in faith. The more we walk with Christ and submit to Him and His Word, we become more holy. Thirdly, it's glorification. This refers to our future salvation. This is when we'll be in glory, in heaven, for an eternity with Christ. This is the aspect of salvation Paul is talking about in Ephesians 6 when he mentions the helmet of salvation. First Thessalonians 5:8 says the following:. "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation". The helmet is the "hope of salvation". You see, when we place the helmet of salvation in our heads, we are doing in it in the hope that one day, we will be with Christ in heaven where Satan and his minions will no longer have jurisdiction to make our lives miserable. What an awesome piece of armor! Having the hope that one day we will be with Christ forever should be encouragement enough to live this life in a peaceful, most joyful way! This reminds me of the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11: "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing". If you read the first 11 verses of 1 Thessalonians 5, you come to understand that Paul is talking about the rapture of church. We will live with Christ whether we are "awake or asleep". This means weather you are living or dead at the time of the rapture, you will live eternally with Christ. This is quite an encouragement Paul was giving the Thessalonians. Not only that, he was promoting to encourage one another with the fact that the Lord will come back one day to get us. And isn't that all we need? To know that we have the hope of His return. I wish I could tell you I encourage myself with these words every day. In the midst of a messed up world that gives you anxiety, problems and headaches, it's inevitable not to get caught up in it. I can also tell you that I try. This piece of the armor has really touched my heart. It has given me the hope that it's possible to live a life with a better perspective! All of a sudden you realize that you can live a life in the now with the hope that  in the future, it will be a lot better! I can imagine Satan going: "oh, oh! He's putting that helmet on. He's about to keep his hopes up about His Lord coming! I cannot let that happen!". Suddenly, your helmet is on your head and Satan has been defeated because you defeat him first in your mind. Your thoughts are no longer of doubt, anxiety or life issues. Your thoughts are placed on the Hope, who is Christ! "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope". (Romans 15:13). Let that hope sink in the deepest place of your soul. That hope will give you rest. It will give you peace. It will give relief. It will give joy. The sufferings of this world will be nothing when that hope of being with Him becomes a reality. You will be in awe when that day comes. You will have no words to say. The old hymn goes:

"When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more

And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair
When the saved diverse shall gather over on the other shore
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there

When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there".

You'll be there! You just need to continue to have the hope of your future reunion with Christ, in the clouds, at the sound of the trumpet. What a marvelous reunion that would be! Encourage yourself with that! There is no better thing.