1 Thessalonians 5:8, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”
When life gets complicated, ugly, and uncertain, we must remember that we Christians “belong to the day of the Lord.” Paul was referring to prophecy when Christ returns to judge the world in power and great glory, and every knee will bow before Him. “But since” are two important words of our past and present identification of belonging “to the day.” There will be a future time God will intervene directly in world affairs, and it will be dramatic. Three other versions of the Bible state 1 Thessalians 5:8 this way:
- But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. NIV
- 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. NLT
- But not us! Since we’re creatures of the Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. MSG
Paul refers to Isaiah 59: 17, in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, where God is portrayed as a warrior wearing armor, “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head: he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” When we think of soldiers, they must be alert and equipped for battle with their armor gear.We are called upon to put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-20), enabling us to live the Christian life. Faith and love are our breastplates of armor. The complete armor of God covered the entire body, which was the belt, breastplate (covered the vital organs), shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. The hope of salvation is represented as a helmet. Helmets protect the head. Our mind is renewed as we are being molded into the image of Christ and protects us from the enemy’s attempts of blocking us from reaching our destiny and living in defeat. Hope in this context is in the confident expectation of God’s hand in the future events in prophecy. These are metaphors for the spiritual resources given to us in Christ, which are truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
I see Paul as one that gave the Lord complete control over his mind and heart. Paul knew the Old Testament because of his rabbinic teaching, had an excellent command of Greek, and knew Hebrew since he was initially a Pharisee. Paul used the word, God, over 500 times in the New Testament. Knowing God’s Word increases our faith. It gives us wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and comfort. We (I) have His presence, protection, and provision; therefore, I am protected when I fully engage putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation, which is a protective and defensive device. The enemy works to cripple our thinking through negative thoughts and unhealthy patterns of imagination. Salvation is about who we are in Christ – our identity. How can we rewire our negative thoughts? By applying every day, the breastplate of faith and love, our helmet the hope of salvation, and using Philippians 4:8 to develop a heavenly mind-control to reboot our thoughts, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things.“HCSB. Live for today, dressed up in faith, love, and with the hope that Christ is coming soon!
What verse or verses has the Holy Spirit given you to meet your specific need(s) this week? Meditate on each word to absorb Him speaking to you. Plan your comments, be self-controlled (Prov. 15:18b, “a patient man calms a quarrel”), be aware of their impact (Prov. 15:28a, “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers”), and remember to put on each day your spiritual armor. You do not belong in the darkness. You are fully protected with God’s truth!
Listen To Casting Crowns – The Power of the Cross (Official Lyric Video) 10/22/2021