Dear Amy,

How is the helmet of salvation a misnomer?

Put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Take the helmet of salvation …

― Ephesians 6:13, 17a

What actually is this helmet of salvation that Paul tells us to put on? It can’t be salvation per se, as that is a gift of and from the Lord, received through faith. What is it then that we should put on, and continue to put on?

The answer is found in a similar exhortation Paul writes to the Thessalonians.

But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

― 1 Thessalonians 5:8

So it’s all about hope⸺the hope of salvation. Recall what hope is. It’s not some finger-crossing wishful thinking. By no means! It is grounds for believing that something good will happen, with certainty. And in this case that is something overwhelmingly wonderfully bountifully joyously good, something worth truly waiting for.

But in the case of salvation, what is there still to hope for? Don’t we already have it? The simple truth is this: our salvation is already accomplished, but not yet complete. One day it will be so and the battle will be over. That is a certainty, and until then this hope is stored up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:5-6).

In the meantime, the process by which we receive this salvation is ongoing and joyous.

Though you have not seen [Jesus], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

― 1 Peter 1:8-9

Note the present continuous tense here. We are receiving the goal of our faith, which is our salvation. The process is ongoing and will last for all of our earthly lives, but it will eventually come to an end, as recounted in John’s vision of the end of days.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

― Revelation 12:10

Anticipate that day with great joy, Amy, and in the meantime, put on and continue to put on the hope of salvation as a helmet! 🙏