The breastplate of faith, love and the helmet of the hope of salvation

Good day to you, dear friends! I bless you on this day and pray that you receive a renewing touch from the Lord!

Yesterday we started discussing three types of weapons that the Lord has given us for victory in these last days. Today we are going to look at them in more detail.

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians, 5: 8)

The breastplate of faith, love and the helmet of the hope of salvation – these are extremely valuable forces that can help us in these last days. That is why our efforts should be directed towards building up faith, walking in love and having hope of salvation. How can we build and cultivate faith, hope and love in our lives? It becomes possible as we feed on the right food, which is the Word of God, and as we practise the Word.

It says in the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians that these three types of spiritual weapons (faith, hope and love) remain, that is to say, they abide through all the trials, persecutions, tribulations, hatred, personal ambition, offenses, treachery, rumours, deceit etc.

 «And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love» (1 Corinthians, 13: 13).

Yes, love is the greatest of the three, but all of them are important for walking in victory in these last days. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

«But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him» (Hebrews, 11: 6).

Hope is steadfast expectation of the future; without hope our faith lacks its foundation. That is why the Bible says that

 «faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen» (Hebrews, 11: 1).

By faith our expectations and hopes come true. Without hope, faith has nothing to work with.

Also faith does not work without love; it says that

«for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love» (Galatians, 5:6).

So God is calling every one of us to strengthen our faith, to feed our hope and to perfect our love walk; for our ability to enjoy God depends on these things, and through them we are able to gain victory in these end-time battles.

We will discuss this in more detail tomorrow.

Abundant blessing to you from the Lord!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Similar Posts

  • What is compassion?

    We must understand that Jesus’ disciples were not perfect; quite the opposite, they are ordinary people with „character issues”. Jesus did not wait until they become perfect, but sent them out to serve people. He did not have anybody else to send; so He worked with what He had. And He is calling us to do the same today; it applies to every one who considers himself to be His disciple. Jesus desires for God’s children to be filled with compassion and to help people allowing God to touch all the people around them with His love.If we see someone perishing physically because of some illness, we do everything to save him. We often do not realize that unsaved people are spiritually ill, that they are perishing and need salvation. We must do everything in our power to save them. So our hearts need to go out to them with love and compassion.

    We must understand that Jesus’ disciples were not perfect; quite the opposite, they are ordinary people with...

  • The generosity and hospitality that opens doors for God’s intervention

    “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way – now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There in the tent,” he said. Then the Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.”

    “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent in...

  • The Importance of God’s will

    Today I would like to start talking about „The Importance of God’s will”. The Holy Scripture says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Mathew, 7: 21). The Bible calls every one of us to have sound mind, especially in learning the will of God for his or her life.«Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is» (Ephesians, 5:18).Why is it so important to allocate some time for seeking out the will of God? Why is understanding of God’s will so necessary for a person? It is because the understanding of God’s will determine both our happiness here, on earth, and our status in the future, in eternity.

    Today I would like to start talking about „The Importance of God’s will”. The Holy Scripture says: “Not everyone...

  • Lay hold on eternal life! II

    «But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses» (1Timothy, 6:11-12).We say that these three things help us to lay hold on eternal life. We also established that eternal life has its beginning on earth when we get to know the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ.

    «But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness...

  • Prayer is petitioning God and receiving from Him II

    Prayer is one of the ways to find out the will of God. Why did Jesus say that He did nothing but what He saw His Father do? Why did Jesus pray? Why did He do what He did? Because He sought the will of God in prayer and received the revelation of God’s will.Let’s look at Moses. God gave Moses the law; God told him to deal with the nation according to it. But while the nation of Israel was in desert Moses faced different situation that were not described in the law.

    Prayer is one of the ways to find out the will of God. Why did Jesus say that He did nothing but what He saw His...

  • There are three main types of believers: observers, consumers/users and servants! II

    The third type of believers is servants. Servants are the ones that are on the giving end. It is more blessed to give than it is to receive. We all like to receive, but if we want to be truly blessed we need to look for opportunities to give.Jesus said that the rivers of living water will flow out of those who believe in Him:«”He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified» (John, 7:38-39 ).

    The third type of believers is servants. Servants are the ones that are on the giving end. It is more blessed to...