The Helmet Of Salvation - Armor of God

“And take the helmet of salvation.” (Ephesians 6:17, ESV)

Presidents are elected in November, but they aren’t sworn into office until January. During these months we refer to the future president as the president-elect. They’ve been elected to the office, but they don’t experience the fullness of being president until January 20th. That’s two and a half months of in-between time.

The analogy isn’t perfect, but in a sense, we are the saved-elect; we’ve been elected for salvation, but we don’t experience the fullness of salvation until glorification (resurrection bodies). Our lives are an in-between time filled with seasons of longing. We yearn for the return of our King and the consummation of “all things in him, things in heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). In these seasons, if we solely focus on the aspects of our salvation that haven’t happened, we miss the blessings, comfort and truth of what has happened, and we leave ourselves vulnerable to spiritual attack. When Paul exhorts us to “take the helmet of salvation” he’s focusing on what has happened, that facet of our salvation that protects us from the “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).

Once again, Paul draws on imagery from the prophet Isaiah to help us understand and appreciate an aspect of our salvation. In chapter 59, Isaiah describes a time when God sees that “justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away…truth is lacking” and those who do right are hunted (59:14-15). In response to this broken world and the suffering of his people, God armors up with a “helmet of salvation” and readies himself for battle. Victory will come, says the Lord, when a redeemer comes to Zion (59:20).

According to Ephesians, the Redeemer has come (Jesus), and he rescued his people “when [God] raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (1:20-21). Now, Jesus is on the throne, and because he is, we share in his power and authority over the devil and his domain. Not only in the future, but now.

So put on the “helmet of salvation,” knowing that it will protect you from spiritual attacks that create chaos and division. Stand firm in the truth that our salvation empowers us now to live with “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:2-3). When you’re tempted to lash out, listen with humility and speak with gentleness. When you’re tempted to grumble, give thanks. And when you’re short on patience, bear in mind the price Jesus paid for our salvation.

One day King Jesus will return and “saved-elect” will be changed in the blink of an eye to “saved.” With resurrection bodies we’ll take our place in the new heaven and earth and forever live in the fullness of our salvation. Until that day comes, may this be our prayer:

May this be our prayer today:
“And take the helmet of salvation.” (Eph. 6:17)

Lord, I pray that you help me to know that I have been made alive with Christ, co-resurrected with him and co-exalted with him. I have been delivered from the domain of the powers of darkness and participate with Christ in his power and authority over that realm. May the assurance of my new identity through union with Christ bring assurance of the fullness of my salvation and provide hope that informs the way I live through seasons of longing. In Jesus’ name, amen.