When Jesus came to earth, He changed everything. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross to rescue humanity from sin. When He rose from the grave, He defeated sin and death once and for all. Jesus offers salvation and eternal life with Him forever when we place our faith in Him. Our salvation is an essential piece of the “armor of God” that the apostle Paul talks about in Ephesians 6.
Paul calls readers to put on God’s armor in Ephesians 6. In this passage of Scripture, He wrote, “Put on salvation as a helmet” (verse 17). Right on our heads to protect our minds like a helmet is salvation. If we have placed our faith in Christ, we have the hope that, in the end, we will experience eternal life with Him forever. It is this truth that carries us and helps us stand firm amid the spiritual battles taking place. We know that our eternal destination is secure. We know that we will face an eternity with Christ forever and that truth will sustain us through the most challenging times.
Jesus taught about the salvation that is available through Him in John 10. He explained that He knows His followers, and they follow Him (verse 27). He continued, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me" (verse 28). Why can't anyone snatch His followers away from Him? Jesus answered that question, saying, "My Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand” (verse 29). The beautiful promise that we have to claim as followers of Christ is that God is more powerful than anything, and when we place our faith in Him, we can remain confident in our salvation. We can remain confident that nothing the enemy can do can impact our salvation if we have placed our faith in Christ.
It's time to put on the helmet of salvation to prepare for the spiritual battles ahead. The knowledge of our salvation protects our minds because it assures us that the enemy will not win. Ultimately, everyone who places their faith in Christ will be free from the enemy's grip, sin, and death. Salvation points straight to Christ's victory and gives us the confidence we need to face the enemy. No one is more powerful than our God!
The gift of salvation makes all of the difference. Remembering our salvation and all that God has done for us not only gives us peace in the middle of the spiritual warfare taking place around us. It also gives us confidence to be bold in our faith during the spiritual battles taking place all around us. Take time today to practice sharing your two-minute story. This story consists of what your life was like before Christ, how you came to know Christ, and the difference Christ has made in your life. As you bring this story to mind, you will find God’s peace and confidence and be prepared to share your story. Look for opportunities this week to share your story with those who are in need of the hope of Christ.
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. 23 He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. 26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”
31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. 32 Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”
33 They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’[c] 35 And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ 36 why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. 37 Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. 38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”
39 Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them. 40 He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile. 41 And many followed him. “John didn’t perform miraculous signs,” they remarked to one another, “but everything he said about this man has come true.” 42 And many who were there believed in Jesus.
