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 Ajiboy

Similar Posts

  • How important for us is to use our homes and special celebrations for the spiritual work we are called to do

    My dear friend, I would like you to think how you could use your times of special celebration, parties and other opportunities for bringing the gospel to your unsaved relatives, friends and acquaintances. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 the bible reminds us that whatever we do, we must do it for the glory of the Lord: “So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”

    My dear friend, I would like you to think how you could use your times of special celebration, parties and other...

  • Changes through Ministry III

    Ministry helps us to live for others not just for ourselves. When a person has a servant or serving heart, his life is focused on making other people happy instead of waiting on the other people to make him happy. Somebody with such an attitude and life position has no time for depression or for self-pity. His life is rather focused on searching for and helping other people who lives in poorer conditions himself instead of sitting around celebrating self- pity party. The person who understands the purpose of true ministry doesn’t live for himself, but his goal is to love God and to love other people.

    Ministry helps us to live for others not just for ourselves. When a person has a servant or serving heart, his...

  • It is extremely important for us to grow in God’s character and nature so that we can effectively function on earth

    «It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness» . In order for a throne or a reign or government to be established, it must be done by righteousness or truth. As we’ve said before, in Paul’s Epistle to Romans we are told that we rule on earth by the gift of righteousness (see Rom.5: 17). The Power, authority and wisdom to rule on earth come into our lives through our uncompromising stance against sin and unrighteousness. If we choose righteousness and total submission to God and His commandments as our lifestyle, then God can channel His authority into our lives; our life will be filled with God’s authority, and God will grant us the right to rule and reign on earth.

    «It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness» . In order...

  • In our lives we must reflect the life, the power and the nature of Christ II

    It says in the Bible: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path» (Psalm, 119:105). It is God’s Word that starts the light of God in our hearts and leads our steps on the right path: «You will light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness» (Psalm, 18:28).

    It says in the Bible: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path» (Psalm, 119:105). It is God’s Word...

  • Life is a trust

    You should understand there is nothing that belongs to you. Your life itself is not yours, it’s a trust God has shown to you. Understanding this truth changes the way you respond to what is going on around you. You do not live for yourself; you did not appear on this Earth by your own act of will or for your own personal purpose. God has given life to you as a sign of His trust for you. You are entrusted with life from God and the day will come when you will have to give account to God for the life He given to you, – for all your deeds and words while living in your body.

    You should understand there is nothing that belongs to you. Your life itself is not yours, it's a trust God has...

  • You are the epistle of Christ through which His salvation can spread through the whole world!

    Paul is saying that many people hear the Gospel but still are not enlightened by that. These people had made their choice to continue living in sin, therefore, satan, the god of this world had blinded their minds so that the light of Gospel remains unveiled to them, regardless of how hard somebody tries to share the gospel with them. Nevertheless, Paul and his partners presented to others the brightest light of the Gospel, – that is Christ Himself, who is the image of God. Paul was convinced that people should be able to see God in Christ, so he preached Christ and instead of preaching about himself.

    Paul is saying that many people hear the Gospel but still are not enlightened by that. These people had made...