Ephesians 6:17a - Christian Armor; Putting On Salvation.
Ephesians 6:17a: Christian Armor; Putting On Salvation.
Ephesians 6:17a (NLT) Put on salvation as your helmet,
Ephesians 6:17a (NCV) Accept Gods salvation as your helmet,
Ephesians 6:17a (CEV) Let God's saving power be like a helmet,
INTRODUCTION
Salvation in Christ is often spoken of in three phases or
tenses: salvation past (justification), salvation present
(sanctification) and salvation future (glorification). The Bible undoubtedly
teaches that:
We have been saved (past) " Ephesians 2:8
We are being saved (present) " 1 Corinthians 1:18
We will be saved (future) " 1 Peter 1:5
This threefold process of salvation begins in justification,
proceeds through sanctification and ends in glorification.
https://biblical-christianity.com/the-three-phases-of-salvation
In the Bible, the word salvation has three distinct tenses -
past, present, and future. At conversion, we are saved from the
penalty of sin. At present, day by day, we are being saved from the
power of sin. And one day in the future, we will be saved from the
presence of sin. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes
devotional]
COMMENTARY
The head needs special protection as being a most vital part,
the seat of the will and the intelligence. [SDA Bible Commentary]
With salvation's helmet, we put on the mind of Christ, which
gives us discernment and wisdom. [Life Principles SB By Charles
Stanley]
The helmet/salvation guards our mind and thoughts. [Ryrie SB]
Satan wants to attack the mind, the way he defeated Eve (Gen. 3;
2 Cor. 11:1-3). The helmet refers to the mind controlled by God.
It is too bad that many Christians have the idea that the intellect
is not important, when in reality it plays a vital role in
Christian growth, service, and victory. When God controls the mind, Satan
cannot lead the believer astray. The Christian who studies his Bible
and learns the meaning of Bible doctrines is not going to be led
astray too easily. We need to be "taught by Him as the truth is in
Jesus" (Eph. 4:21). We are to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Wherever Paul
ministered, he taught the new converts the truths of the Word of God, and
this helmet protected them from Satan's lies. [Bible Exposition
Commentary]
God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts.
He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His
wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still
clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier, our desire for
purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure
atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God
through the study of the Scriptures. {AG 34.2}
We should meditate upon the Scriptures, thinking soberly and
candidly upon the things that pertain to our eternal salvation. The
infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call
for most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the
character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should seek to
comprehend the meaning of the plan of salvation. We should meditate upon
the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. By
constantly contemplating heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow
stronger. Our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because
they will be more and more mixed with faith and love. They will be
more intelligent and fervent. There will be more constant confidence
in Jesus, and you will have a daily, living experience in the
willingness and power of Christ to save unto the uttermost all that come
unto God by Him. {AG 34.4}
ILLUSTRATIONS
One Sunday afternoon, I visited a man who had been a deacon
in a local church, but was at that time involved in a false cult.
We sat at the table with open Bibles, and I tried to show him the
truth of God's Word, but it seemed his mind was blinded by lies. "How
did you happen to turn away from a Bible-preaching church and get
involved in this belief?" I asked, and his reply stunned me.
"Preacher, I blame the church. I didn't know anything about
the Bible, and they didn't teach me much more. I wanted to study the
Bible, but nobody told me how. Then they made me a deacon, and I wasn't
ready for it. It was too much for me. I heard this man preaching the
Bible over the radio and it sounded as if he knew something. I started
reading his magazine and studying his books, and now I'm convinced he's
right."
What a tragedy that when his local church took him in, they
failed to fit him with the helmet of salvation. Had they practiced the
truth found in 2 Timothy 2:2, this man might not have been a casualty
in the battle. [Bible Exposition Commentary]
ONE LINERS
The helmet of salvation is realization of our new identity
in Christ as Gods new creations (2:1-10). [Victor Bible
Readers Companion]
Salvation which is in Christ gives us forgiveness for the sins
of the past and strength to conquer sin in the days to come.
[Barclay Commentary]
Salvation is the hope (1 Thess 5:8) of eternal life, in one
sense already a present reality (Eph 2:8), that gives assurance of
final victory. [College Press NIV Commentary]
Hope of salvation, a Scriptural expectation of victory, will
purify the soul, and keep it from being defiled by Satan. [Matthew
Henry Commentary]
We must put on the helmet of salvation - the glorious hope that,
one day, the Lord will right all wrongs and establish His eternal
kingdom. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotionals]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
