The hemlet of salvation and breastplate of truth
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Today we are going to be talking about the Helmet of Salvation and the Breastplate of Righteousness. In this series thus far, I’ve talked about one item at a time. However the concepts of Salvation and Righteousness are joined together, so I thought it best to speak about them together. So let’s go ahead and read our scripture, which comes from Ephesians 6:13-19
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
The breastplate and helmet are 2 of the most important pieces of armor. They protect the most vital organs, and its something each soldier MUST have going into battle. Salvation and righteousness are also 2 of the most important parts of our redemption with God. They are similar in almost every way. Let’s look at how they are similar.
They are similar in origin
Salvation and Righteousness were meant to come naturally to humanity. Before sin we were righteous, and since we were righteous we were saved. It might be more accurate to say that since we were righteous, salvation wasn’t even necessary.
They are similar in Dilemma
However we all know the rest of the story, Adam and Eve fell into sin and what righteousness we had was taken from us. Since we no longer had righteousness, we now needed to be saved.
Paul explains righteousness as a breastplate, the piece of armor which protects the human torso, containing the most vital organs. However since we are no longer righteous, we no longer have that breastplate, we lost the one we did have to sin. We are therefore left unprotected in the field of battle. We are a lost cause. Easy pickings. Low hanging fruit. Without the breastplate of righteousness we are lost. We can never get OUR righteousness back.
They are similar in solution
However since we can no longer create our own righteousness, Christ gives us righteousness from himself. This process is explain in Romans 4:18-25
In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Through Abraham's belief he was declared righteous because God credited him with righteousness. God gave Abraham some of his own righteousness to fill the void left in Abraham's life.
Paul mentions that we are saved in the same way, though we believe we are credited with Righteousness. Not our righteousness, but one that comes from Christ himself.
The key to being gifted this breastplate of righteousness is belief.
Like with righteousness, we have no means to create salvation from within ourselves. The only means of obtaining salvation is having it gifted to us. We know of course that salvation is gifted to us through Christ’s work on the cross. This is how Paul frames Salvation in Romans 10:10-12
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
The key to being gifted with salvation is belief. So we seem to have found the common denominator joining the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness. It's belief, described by Jesus as the work of God. This is what Jesus says in John 6:28–29
Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
The key to properly equipping the Helmet of salvation and Breastplate of righteousness is belief, THE sunday school answer. But belief is never as simple as a Sunday school answer is it?
Many people in this room would say “Yes I believe, but I have some serious questions
Yes I believe, but my struggles with my Job are all I can seem to focus upon.
Yes I believe, but it would be easier to believe if I had better financial security.
Yes I believe, but my husband/wife doesn’t, and that makes my belief harder
Yes I believe, but why doesn’t anyone believe me why I cry out for help
Yes I believe, but I find myself really depressed. How can I be depressed and still believe the good news. Is it possible to believe in Jesus and be depressed? Do I really believe it at all?
These are all questions which serve as a footnote to the belief of many Christians, some of which may even be in this room. If this is you please understand this; your belief is still valid. Because belief is rarely as simple as a Sunday School answer.
The gospels acknowledge this, one of the best passages on belief comes from Mark 9. In this passage there is a man whose son is possessed by an evil spirit. The man tells Jesus this demon has been tormenting his son since he was a child. The man implores Jesus to help if he can. This is how the story unfolded READ Mark 9:21-24. I believe, help my unbelief. Some folks can feel these words as they are spoken. In this passage it’s what Jesus DOESN’T do that is as important as what he does. He of course drives the demon out of the boy. However not once do you see him rebuke the man for this confession, he doesn’t even offer up correction.
Jesus doesn’t say “Belief and unbelief cannot exist together.” He doesn’t accuse the man of having a weak faith. Jesus simply lets the statement be, as if he acknowledges what the man is saying.
Christ doesn’t get mad at us when we are angry, hurting, or confused. He understands. (Roman medicine illustration).
If you share in this man's confession, today I encourage you to not only let it be a confession, but a prayer.
Remember the importance of Belief, it is essential in being credited with a breastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation. Belief is essential in putting on the whole armor of God. Therefore you should pray for your belief. We should always be praying for our belief, even when you aren’t struggling. Because life can change quickly. Because belief is rarely as simple as a Sunday School answer.