Arm Yourselves with Faith, Love, and Hope

"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Paul likes to use a contrast between light (day) and darkness (night) to represent God/His truth and evil/wickedness, respectively. We, Christ's followers, are children of Light and are to walk in the light of Christ, not in darkness ruled by Satan. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8-10) We belong to the day; therefore, we are to live accordingly by being sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 

Be sober (spiritually stable, self-controlled, clear-headed, prudent). Be sober so that you can stay alert, watchful, and not be enticed by the deeds of darkness/evil passion. Live calmly and obediently. Our character and conduct must be consistent with our confession.

While we wait for Christ's return, we continue to live in a world of spiritual darkness that is hostile to God's truth. There is a spiritual battle, a battle for people's hearts and minds. Christ's followers are called to be soldiers in that battle. Dress properly. Arm yourselves against spiritual warfare by putting on faith and love as a breastplate (to protect our heart, the very center of our life) and the hope of salvation as a helmet (to protect our head/mind). Both breastplate and helmet are defensive weapons used to protect us from the Enemy's assault. 

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see...And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:1, 6) Faith (trust, belief, conviction) in God as Creator and Ruler of all things, Provider and Giver of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah, the only Way through Whom we can be saved. Faith in God's promises. Faith protects our hearts from doubting, fearing, worrying, and wandering. Faith also keeps us sober (spiritually stable in spiritual warfare).

Love (agape) is unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial. It's treating people the way Jesus would treat them. Love God. Love people. Love like Jesus. Do everything in love. Love protects our hearts from hatred, fear, self-centeredness, greed, covetousness, jealousy, temptations, idleness, all sorts of evildoing. If we love God, we will obey His commands (which includes loving everyone). If we love people like Jesus, we will put the needs and well-being of others above ours. If we love people, we will share the gospel with them because we do not want to see anyone perish.

Put on the hope of Salvation as a helmet to protect our mind/thoughts. This "helmet" protects us from the Enemy's lies, doubts, despair, and discouragement. Biblical hope is absolute certainty (blessed assurance) based on God's Word. This living, confident hope helps us endure and persevere even amidst trials and suffering. Our eternal security in Christ gives us boldness to stand firm and steadfast, to resist Satan and worldly influences, and to encourage and comfort one another. In Christ/because of Christ, we have been saved from the penalty of sin (justification); we are being saved from the power of sin (sanctification); we shall be saved from the presence of sin (glorification). In this verse, Paul directs our attention to the hope of complete salvation in the future (forever saved from the penalty, power, and presence of sin). This blessed hope assures us that no matter how difficult the battle may be, there will definitely be ultimate victory and inspires us to live a holy life for God. "All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure." (1 John 3:3)

If we keep our faith in Jesus Christ, if we love one another like Jesus, if we have the confident hope of salvation, the Enemy cannot do anything to us!

"You need to get your heart right; that's the breastplate of faith and love that covers your heart. You need to love Jesus; you need to love one another. You need to put your faith where God put your sins: on the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the breastplate; you need to wear that. If you don't wear that, you're not ready to live in these dark days. And then, not only keep your heart right, but you keep your head right. Put on the helmet of salvation, the helmet of the hope of salvation." (Adrian Rogers)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for my salvation and for Your Word which gives me assurance! As I await Your return, please bless me with a childlike faith, Christlike love, and unshakable hope. Please empower me to effectively do Your kingdom work and draw people to You.