Armor of God | Hope

The armor of God has been a topic that has been difficult to get our minds wrapped around. What it is and how we put it on, has seemed to be a bit mysterious. So maybe by looking at the effect of the armor we can get a better understanding of how to put the armor on.

Our confident hope of salvation.

We previously looked at The Shield of Faith, so let's take the next piece. We're leaving in, The Effect of Armor, section here for continuity.

The Effect of Armor

The most prominent place the armor of God is listed is in Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV. Each piece of armor has an effect. Since it is spiritual armor, and we are physically oriented, it can be difficult to understand what is happening when we have it on.

One of the things we know about armor is that once we are in the battle, we shouldn't have to think about the armor. It will passively protect us and we shouldn't have to give it another thought. We inspect, test and repair the armor on a regular basis and ensure it is fitted correctly on us.

Now, there are probably many effects that we can identify but this study is simply to start the process. For our purposes, we are focusing on one effect but be sure to seek out more. If you find more than what is listed here, please add them to the comment section below.

So, let's continue to look at the effect of each piece. Today we are tackling the The Helmet of Salvation.

The Helmet of Salvation

Take the helmet of salvation... - Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV

The Helmet of Salvation has an effect. The effect is, a joyful and confident expectation of the Lord.

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. - 1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT

The word confidence in the New Living Translation is actually a very familiar word we otherwise know as hope. The helmet is the hope of our salvation. It is an expectation that is joyful. It is an expectation that is confident. Our salvation, hope, joy, confidence and expectation are all tied together. When these concepts are valued, nurtured and inseparable from our thoughts, they become the helmet that is impenetrable.

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. - 1 Thessalonians 5:8 NASB

Expectation, joy, confidence and hope are synonyms in many ways. They work together to fortify a Christlike mindset. Joy, confidence and a vibrant expectation of the Lord are how we know we have our helmet on.

So, let's raise our expectation that we have in our mighty God who saves, and develop a joyful and confident resolve.

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Take Action!

How do I put on the helmet of salvation? 

Learn every detail of who you are in Christ and what the Lord has planned for you, and get excited about it. Our joy, your confidence and our expectation grows in proportion to our understanding of what they are and how they work.
  1. What is important about our expectation of the Lord?
  2. How can I walk in a greater expectation of what God is doing?
  3. Think through the following scriptures for a quick start.
    • There is far more about our expectation of the Lord and our salvation in the scriptures.
    • Discover other those scriptures that inform us as to what our expectation should be.
    • Here's a great place to start...
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 NLT
For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. - Colossians 1:4-5 NLT 
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. - Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Here are additional resources to help develop your strategy: 

Please, add your thoughts in the comment section.

~~~~~~~

Concept

“The Helmet of Salvation brings joy, confidence and a vibrant expectation of the Lord.”


In The Cool Zone concept. Think like Jesus thinks. Deliver the Gospel. Teach what you have learned.

In The Cool Zone and More Life in My Day are sister websites dedicated to discipleship. They work in tandem, providing the teaching and coaching for growing in the Lord and becoming effective in our walk with the Lord. 

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