Armor of Christ

1 Thessalonians is a book that I always come back refreshed to read. It is full of encouragement for fellow brothers and sisters to strive, to fight the good fight, to remember where they stand with the Lord. This write up is not about the entire book, though that would be fun to do one day, it is about what it means to put on the armor of God.  We so often think of the armor of God from the letter to Ephesus.

I remember as a child hearing that Paul wrote those verses in the letter of Ephesians 6 partly due to the fact the Paul was constantly around Roman guards. Thinking about it now, I think that this makes sense, but I don’t really think this is what Paul was getting at. I think Paul had a greater image in mind. He had an image of a being that surpassed any Roman soldier; he had the image of God in mind. 

Paul was what we could consider a genius when it came to the Old Testament. He was trained by the best and was destined to lead. He knew the Old Testament and he knew what the prophets had to say about the one to come, The Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 says this, “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” This may sound very similar to what Ephesians 6 says, but I believe that this is actually being pulled from the prophet Isaiah.  When Isaiah is prophesying about the Christ that is to come we read about this majestic image in which describes this mighty warrior/redeemer.

"... Now the Lord saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice... Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle." - Isaiah 59:15-17

It was surprising to me when I first read the passage in 1 Thessalonians to not have it noted or directing me over to the book of Isaiah. Paul is not directly quoting this passage but only alluding to the idea of living at a higher standard. I do not know if the people who read and heard this letter made this connection of this reference.

The takeaway from this is that Paul is calling the church in Thessalonica (and all Christians) to live a life like Christ. To be affirmed in the fact that we have that power in us and protecting us because we have Christ. Paul may had been reminded of these passages of armor as he was in prison, but I believe he knew full well that he was challenging the people to live at a higher standard. To put on armor that is greater than the armor Roman soldier wore, and to win the battle through rejoicing, prayer, giving thanks, not quenching the Spirit, not despising prophetic gifts, holding fast to what is good, and abstaining from evil (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22). 

So I end this note how Paul ends his first letter to Thessalonica, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:28)” This is the grace in which allows us to be anointed with the majestic breastplate of faith and love and to put on a helmet, the hope of salvation.

THINK! What does it mean to put on the Breastplate and Helmet? Does it change how you view the armor knowing that it is a heavenly thing? How does this impact your daily walk?

Follow up Note: Armor of Christ: Spiritual Battle