Salvation Helmet

Put on salvation as your helmet. (6:17)

I believe that Paul had some intention in matching the various physical pieces of a soldier’s armor with corresponding spiritual weapons and defense pieces. In other words, I don’t believe he randomly chose a piece of armor and assigned a spiritual weapon, not intending for it to correspond to the body part or function of that physical weapon. We’ve discussed, for example, how the footwear was for a soldier’s mobility, and body armor for protecting vital organs, and then how the corresponding weapons of peace and righteousness fit with those. In this meditation, we consider the helmet, the head gear of the soldier, and the weapon of salvation.

What was the significance of the helmet, and why is it identified with salvation? Without the head, the solider has no life. The only part of the human body that is not replaceable, either physically or as a function, is the head! Despite the science fiction renderings of Frankenstein (I’m thinking as I write this of the crude stitch marks around his neck, indicating that another head had been sewn on to him!), and tabloid reports of plans to do so, there have been no successful head transplants of living humans. Hearts have been transplanted. Kidneys have been substituted with a ‘kidney machine’. Amputees of limbs continue their lives, albeit with new difficulties, and sometimes those seemingly insurmountable. People have learned to live without sight and hearing. But no one lives without a head. That head must be protected! From distant arrows, or close in combat, or bodily falls, taken on the side of hills in pursuit or retreat, the head needs an extra measure of care.

Why is salvation the corresponding body part protector for the head, or, in some sense, the most important part of the body?

For the believer, salvation is the total provision of God’s ultimate care. The believer is rescued, safe, given life. All of those descriptions are part of what salvation indicates.  It’s not a temporary rescue, but a permanent one. It’s a rescue from defeat and danger, and transport to a position of victory and safety. To describe salvation with just one word, I would use “life.”  

On the gruesome side, captured warriors could be slapped or beaten in the head. Damage could be irreparably done to the brain, and to the central processor of the five senses. But on a deeper level, victims could be decapitated. That, of course, meant total defeat. The life was taken away. If there were no head functioning or attached(!), the warrior would obviously have no life.

The Good News is that our salvation is complete. One of the Enemy’s ploys is to tell us that salvation—this full and abundant life given by God—is not real, not available, not functional. Your head is exposed, and has no protection. Thus, in the battle you will have no chance for survival. Without armor protecting your most important part, you are doomed. Some intentional or stray arrow, or rock, or weapon of close-in combat is going to take you out.

God says the opposite.

Remember: as with other parts of the armor, this one is not generated from us. It’s not something that we have summoned from deep within ourselves. It’s not built on determination, or a can-do spirit. It’s from God, to us, for us. He is the giver of salvation; we are the recipients. It’s “our” salvation in the sense that it rests with us, but it’s God’s salvation in the sense that He provides it for us.

I am intrigued that when the battle is over, victors hold their heads up high. They are looking for those who support them, they are reveling in mission accomplished. All is intact, the plan has been executed. We rejoice!

However, head down is a sign of shame. Things didn’t work out. We are conquered.

Head down is not the position of the Jesus’ follower at the end of this conflict. Look up and see; your salvation is drawing near.

“Father, thank you for the salvation helmet. Thank you that our victory is secure in you, and that you have rescued us from sin and darkness and defeat. When the Enemy tries to get to our brain and heart and tell us that you have not provided life for us, and in fact, that you are incapable of doing so, let us immediately respond in our spirits with rejoicing at what you have done. For you have indeed provided ultimate care for us, and the Enemy is not strong enough to steal that from us.”