When we arrived back in Australia after our recent trip to the USA, we were reminded of the benefits of Australian citizenship. While non-citizens waited in long slow lines, we inserted our passports into a machine that took our photo. We then moved to a short line answered a couple of questions and were sent on our way.

Like citizenship, salvation has many great benefits that can help us every day. If Satan can get us to doubt our salvation or forget all that God did for us at salvation, he will have little trouble defeating us. For this reason, God tells us to take the helmet of salvation.

Transition

To help us take the helmet of salvation there are three questions that we ought to first answer.

Of What Significance Was the Soldier’s Helmet?

The description of a soldier’s helmet

  1. A helmet was a hat made of either thick leather or brass
    1. Designs varied in different ages
    2. Many covered the ears and some hung down over the neck.
  2. It was usually crowned with a plume or crest
    1. Some plumes were for ornament, e.g., feathers
    2. Other plumes were to strike terror in the enemy

The purpose of the soldier’s helmet

  1. It was to protect his head against blows from sword, war-club, or battle-axe.
  2. It gave him confidence and courage.

How Does God Apply the Helmet to Spiritual Warfare?

God tells us that the Christian’s helmet is salvation

  1. Something about our salvation will protect us against the wiles of the devil.
  2. This verse has been interpreted in many ways.
    1. Obviously, God is not telling the believer to get saved since he is already saved.
    2. Perhaps the helmet of salvation is the same as the hope of salvation as described in 1Thessalonians 5:8.“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1Th 5:8).However, that helmet is the confident hope that Christ will come, get us, and take us to our eternal home with Him. That helmet, the hope of salvation, protects us from forgetful carelessness while we wait for Christ. In Ephesians, the helmet of salvation is expanded to include other aspects of salvation.

I believe the helmet is salvation’s benefitsSalvation includes several great benefits that we must wear as our helmet of protection against Satan’s accusations. This may be another aspect of the “hope” of salvation.

  1. At salvation, God cleansed us (justification) from the guilt and penalty of sin.“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Co 6:11)“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us?” (Ps 103:12)

    “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1Jo 1:7)

  2. At salvation, God adopted us into his family as children.“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (Joh 1:12)“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Eph 1:5)
  3. At salvation, God gave us hope. This life is not the end. We have a confident hope (i.e., steadfast assurance) of eternal life with God.“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1Pe 1:3)“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Tit 2:13)
  4. At salvation, God gave us eternal security. A saved person may sin and lose his fellowship with God but never his relationship with God.“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (Joh 5:24)“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (Joh 10:28)

    “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Php 1:6)

    “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pe 1:5)

  5. At salvation, God gave us His indwelling Spirit.1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
  6. At salvation, God also gave us propitiation, redemption, reconciliation, regeneration, sanctification, preparation, correction, purification, and much more.A Christian who is not using these benefits is in the battle with no helmet. He is exposed to the blows of the devil.

How Can We Put on the Helmet of Salvation?

We must take God’s helmet of Salvation.

  1. The word “take” means, “to take with the hand”, “to accept.” We must accept salvation’s benefits and use them when Satan attacks our salvation.A friend of mine in PNG told me of the giant clam he got in the ocean. I asked him if he ever found any round white round things in the clams. He said, “Oh yes, some large ones which the children used as marbles.” He treated valuable pearls as useless toys and often we do the same with our benefits of salvation.
  2. Look for salvation’s benefits as you study the Bible.“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)

We must use salvation’s benefits every day

  1. To wear these benefits of salvation as your helmet, you must know them well. We must also teach them to our children.
  2. When Satan attacks, rest confident in the many benefits of your salvation.
    1. Unconfessed sin may make us feel unsaved. If that is your problem, then humble yourself before God, confess, and forsake your sin.
    2. When attacked by Satan, claim your salvation’s benefits. For example:
      1. Past sins are cleansed. Christ paid for every sin.
      2. You cannot be un-adopted by God.
      3. You cannot lose the Holy Spirit or your salvation.
      4. God is preparing a home in heaven for you.
      5. God’s correction shows His love.
      6. Forgiveness is always available.
    3. When Satan falsely accuses you, ponder the benefits of salvation. Do not listen to his lies. Believe God’s promises received at salvation.

Conclusion

Have you been wearing your helmet of salvation this week? If not, take time to reflect on all that God did for you when you got saved. Claim your benefits when the Devil tries to defeat you.

Song: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus 257
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Helmet of Salvation
17 August 2014 PM – Ephesians 6:17 – Eph 14 – Scott Childs