Putting on the
spiritual helmet of salvation is about guarding the mind. We are to
take every thought captive into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians
10:5). In a parallel passage (to Ephesians 6:10-29), Peter tells us
to put on “as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians
5:8). In September we were concentrating on here and now aspect
“the hope to which He has called us” (1:18). This verse (17) has
more to do with the settled nature of the justification aspect of
salvation (see 5 January). John tells us that he writes to believers
so “that you may know that you have eternal
life” (1 John 5:13). Indeed in order to stand, and having
done all to stand, we need to have the sure hope of salvation settled
in our minds, and actually in our hearts too.
In an illustration I
gave in the January posts, I shared the story of Captain
Hornblower’s hot tempered surgeon who, in a duel, had shot the
Filipino diver - the key to Hornblower’s mission. Hornblower told
the surgeon that if the diver died, so would the surgeon. This is
like Old Testament Law - justice. In the end Hornblower released the
surgeon from the threat, realizing that under such pressure, he
could not likely do his best in removing the bullet. This is like New
Testament Grace, we are forgiven, and set free from fear of
punishment in order, out of gratitude, to do our best. Paul tells us such a
response to the tender mercies of God in justification salvation is
the only reasonable one (Romans 12:1 NKJV).
There are a number of
pictures of the justification aspect of our salvation, one of which is adoption. For example “For as many as are
led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not
receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans
8:14,15). We need to know this settled adoption, because our identity as sons and
daughters of God will be challenged. The very first temptation of
Jesus in the wilderness, was about His identity “If You be the Son
of God …” (Matthew 4:3). The servant is not greater than his
master and if He was tempted in this way, so will we. So often we
don't feel worthy, we fail, and the World attacks us, causing us to
doubt. But He has promised to forgive us when we confess our failures
(1 John1:9). And when we know who we are, and whose we are in
Christ, we can rest in what God thinks about us (we are amazing), dismissing as far less important, what others think about us. In a
passage where Peter exhorts us to give Him our all, even in the face
of suffering, we read that He has “begotten us again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in
heaven for you? (1 Peter 1:3-16).
Father I want to thank
You this morning for Your wisdom and tender mercies that give us such
assurance of our eternal acceptance, and which, by Your Spirit,
enables us to stand and having done all to stand. Thank You too for
the multifaceted nature of Your grace that gives us, not only
justification salvation, but the Grace and the wherewithal to stand
(Romans 5:2) in Jesus Name Amen
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