And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17
No Roman soldier would ever enter battle, or be in a place where there was any possibility of an attack, without wearing his helmet. This crucial piece of armour was made of thick leather covered with metal plates, or of molded of beaten metal. The helmet provided protection against arrows and spears, and was able to withstand blows from the heavy broadswords that enemy cavalrymen would swing at the heads of soldiers to crush or decapitate them. Christians also need a helmet, to protect us from the savage attacks of our enemy. And the best helmet to wear is salvation.
Paul is not telling the Christians at Ephesus that they need to be born again. That has already occurred. They are apparently going on well in their Christian life. Paul is not speaking of the salvation that brings us to justification; he is speaking of the daily salvation that provides us with sanctification, and the future salvation that will bring us to glorification. In terms of our Christian armour, salvation is our helmet, to protect us from the devil’s attacks on our security in Christ, and on our assurance of salvation. The devil’s double-edged sword targets Christians with the strokes of discouragement and doubt. Only a firm confidence in our salvation can protect us from these.
Discouragement is one of the devil’s favourite forms of attack. Discouraged Christians have little interest or energy to put into living for their Lord. Discouraged Christians are a poor testimony, and because they are not filled with the joy of their salvation, they are failing to worship as they should. The helmet of salvation keeps the Christian’s mind on the blessings of what God has brought us into, and the appreciation of God’s loving kindness to us. This helmet also keeps our attention on the Word of God, and on our daily communion with our Lord in meditation and prayer. Our daily salvation depends on being protected from discouragement.
The appreciation of our future salvation depends on our protection from doubt. We know that our redemption has provided for us an eternity with our Lord, and yet, the devil would have us doubt that. The helmet of salvation will keep our minds on the Word of God, and the promises that we have been given. The helmet gives us the assurance that our salvation is not of ourselves, and that we have trusted in the One Who will never allow us to be removed from His hand. Our hope of glory – our most precious possession – is anchored in the truth of the Word of God and in the value of the blood that purchased our redemption. I have seen some Christians lose years of joy and service for the Lord because of doubts about their salvation. They failed to wear the helmet that God has provided.
Our salvation – past, present, and future – depends on God. That assurance is our helmet of salvation. -Jim MacIntosh