“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Introduction
“We must fight with faith and hope, and therefore we should
certainly not lie snoring” (The Geneva Study Bible). The word “sober”
means to be “discreet” and “watch”. This is in contrast to the spiritual
drunkenness of those who live in darkness while claiming to be children of
light. Paul encourages us to be
watchful and attentive about how we conduct ourselves in a fallen world.
Literally, the word sober relates to abstaining from wine and strong drink, but
spiritually it means to keep away from everything that might destroy or
undermine our faith in Christ. “Abstain
from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Sober
In 5:6 Paul wrote, “Therefore
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” As only a
sober soldier is prepared for the battle, therefore true believers cannot
overcome the enemy of their souls if they entertain him in their daily lives. “No
man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may
please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4) … “Wherefore
gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that
is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient
children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your
ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner
of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1
Peter 1:13-16). Paul goes on to use describe two parts of our spiritual armour.
No doubt he had in mind Isaiah 59:17, “For
he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his
head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with
zeal as a cloak”, and may be the basis of Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
The Breastplate and the Helmet
The breastplate of the High Priest in the Old Testament had
imbedded in it twelve precious stones, whereas our breastplate only needs two,
faith and love. Faith and love cannot be separated from each other in our
Christian life. “Hold fast the form of
sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). It is on the foundation of faith and love that we
have full assurance in the Lord. This hope is the belief in the fulfilment of
salvation, that is, eternal life in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ once
this life is over. Faith is what we have in our hearts. Love is the outworking
of the faith. “For in Jesus Christ
neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which
worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). We have no hope (assurance) of salvation
if faith and love do not exist.
These three things
make for sobriety, alertness and watchfulness. John Bunyan told of how
Christian came upon three men who were "fast asleep, with fetters upon
their heels. The name of the first was Simple, the second Sloth, and the third
Presumption. Christian attempted to awaken them by warning them of the coming
destruction, but they wanted to sleep. Simple said, "I see no danger";
Sloth said, "Yet a little more sleep"; and Presumption said,
"Every vat must stand upon its own bottom." Then, all three rolled
over and went to sleep again. This is the sad condition of many in our churches
today.
Conclusion
The breastplate and the helmet protect two vital parts of
the body, the heart and the head. “With head and heart right, the whole man is
right” (Edmunds). The heart needs to be kept from sin and the head from false
teaching. We cannot win any spiritual battle unless we have faith, love and the
assurance of salvation. “The night is
far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness,
and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12) … “Watch
therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if
the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would
have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh”
(Matthew 24:42-44).
© 22/5/2008