Here... This if for you, take it!

The Word is first...

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c198

Since before the fall, God has predestined a plan of salvation to reconcile us to him. The elegance of His plan is beyond comprehension or compare and it is complete to the uttermost. While each of us can grasp some portion of it, none may plumb the depths of it.

God's plan of salvation was designed exclusively and expressly for us. It is not applicable for the animals and it is not available to the angels. It is well beyond the grasp of Satan and it cannot be undone by any amount of demonic intervention. It is designed and intended for us, all of us.

Today's verse discloses two components of God's plan for us as well as a key consideration.

Beginning with the consideration, let's examine the very first word of the verse; "Take." This is an imperative, a command, something to be done without hesitation and so it should be for it is for our own good. But even more important that the tense with which the author presents this is the concept that it is something that cannot be bought, negotiated or traded. It is as though God is saying "Here! This is for you, take it! It's a gift for you and I've been waiting for you to get to this point so I could offer it to you. I made it myself, I know you'll like it."

What then is the nature of this gift that is so forcefully offered to us? The verse continues "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Therein are the two things which we most need.

The helmet of salvation not only protects our head, our mind, from attack but it also anoints the entire body. Salvation is the balm for everything that ails us, it heals us completely. It is this knowledge of salvation that draws us into a more intimate relationship with God which is entirely enabled by salvation itself.

The sword of the Spirit, the very word of God, is offered to us not only as an offensive weapon against whatever would come against us, but as a comfort, a guide and a proof of ownership. We know that we are God's children because he has given us his seal (his spirit) and his sword (his word).

Offering us salvation, redeeming us from sin, is not an after-thought of God but rather the very essence of his divine plan for us. Offering us his spirit is not some ad-hoc, "oh yeah" kind of moment but rather a carefully crafted solution to the problems that vex us on this Earth.

Take up the helmet of salvation today. Place it upon your head to protect your mind and to declare your allegiance to The King of Kings whom you serve. Fix the sword of the Spirit to your belt (of truth) knowing that you have the best weapon to bear against your enemies.

Shalom,
Carl