361. 1TH 5:8. THE HELMET
1Th_5:8. The Helmet
"And for an helmet, the hope of salvation."’971Th_5:8. See also Eph_6:17.
We have now to call your attention to a very interesting and important part of the Christian’s armor, and that is the helmet, which is to defend the head. I need not attempt to show you, that no part of the Christian can be more exposed than the head, and as such, that defence here is essentially requisite. It is said of Goliath, that he had an helmet of brass upon his head. Of the Bozrah conqueror, the illustrious Captain of our salvation, Isaiah gives us a striking description. See Isa_59:17. Now, as truth is to gird the loins, righteousness to defend the breast, and faith to be the shield, so the helmet is to be our hope of salvation.
I. Let us describe the Warrior’s Helmet.
II. The Advantages he derives from it.
I. Let us describe the Warrior’s Helmet.
"Hope of salvation."
Now hope is the expectation of some future good. It is something essentially connected with faith, and yet it differs from that grace. Faith has more to do with the certainty and truth of things, hope with their excellency and desirableness. Hope is sometimes superior to desires and longings, although these generally accompany it. Observe, hope looks for and finally aspects future good. Consider then,
1. The object of hope. "Salvation."
Salvation implies enemies and peril and deliverance from both. The Christian has enemies. The world; his own heart; and the devil. He is in peril from these They endanger his spiritual and eternal safety. Besides there is the enemy, the last enemy, death, and that of which it is to the lost, the dreadful precursor; the wrath of God; the second and eternal death. Now the Christian hopes, that is, confidently expects to be saved from all these enemies, and to be delivered from the wrath to come. Not only so, but he expects to enjoy the blessings of positive salvation, even immortality and eternal life. His hope embraces salvation here, and salvation forever.
2. The origin and source of this hope.
Now this hope is a grace of the Spirit, and is the effect of a renewed heart. See this clearly placed before us, 1Pe_1:3 Now God is the author of this hope. 2Th_2:16; Rom_15:13.
3. The basis and ground of hope.
Hope as an anchor of the soul, must have ground by which it holds the soul in blessed security. As a building it must have a strong foundation. Now this basis is threefold.
(1) The promises of the Father. Hence we read thus, "In hope of eternal life, which God promised." Tit_1:2. Now the ground of hope is God’s revealed engagements, to save us from all our enemies and give eternal life. Now, these promises are many, precious, and immutable.
(2) The work of the Son. As the Father hath promised, so the Son hath obtained for us the blessing for which we hope. He hath lived for us, fought for us, suffered for us, and obtained eternal redemption for us. Now in receiving Christ by faith, he dwells within us, the hope of eternal glory.
(3) The influences of the Spirit. Now the Spirit is the divine agent that illumines the mind with hope, which lights it up in the breast. Dwells in us as the earnest, or pledge of the full inheritance. Rom_8:16. The Spirit testifies that we are Christ’s. Engages to lead, support, and bring us to the enjoyment of everlasting life. Such then is the Christian’s helmet "the hope of salvation." Observe,
II. The Advantages he derives from it.
1. It animates for the warfare.
See this illustrated in the case of Caleb and Joshua. "Let us go up," &c. See Psa_27:1; Psa_3:13. See also Paul’s triumphant conclusion, Rom_8:31.
2. It supports in sufferings.
Now in times of suffering we are in danger of adopting ungodly methods of deliverance, or of sinking under them. Now Jeremiah says, "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait tor the salvation of the Lord." Lam_3:26. "He that believeth shall not make haste." That is, he shall patiently hope. Paul speaks of the patience of hope And hope also supports us in trouble. Psa_43:5. "Our light afflictions," &c. "While we look," &c. 2Th_2:16.
3. It will put us in possession of the victory and reward.
No real evil can befall the child of God. He shall end his days in hope. "The righteous hath hope." Like Simeon, "Now, Lord, lettest thou," &c. Or like Paul, "I have fought a good fight," &c. The Christian is now grappling with the last enemy, and as he struggles with him exclaims, "O death! where is thy sting?"
Application
1. Cultivate and preserve this hope of salvation. Be familiar with the promises. Rest always on Christ. Cherish the influences of the Holy Spirit. Hope always to the end.
2. As your hope is, so will be your comfort and joy.
3. Address those who have not a good hope.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS