Frank Moore explains a Christian view of salvation plus other key theological ideas in More Coffee Shop Theology: Translating Doctrinal Jargon into Everyday Life.

I remember as a child trying to figure out why the armor of God fit particular parts of the body.Some made sense, like the breastplate of righteousness protecting our heart — a metaphor for our soul — as well as the shield of faith to “extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one” — the image of a shield protecting our whole being against Satan’s schemes. But why a helmet for salvation?

I came to understand when an acquaintance of mine began doubting his salvation. Before his season of uncertainty he was living fully in God’s ways, serving joyfully in his church, and knowing purpose and peace.

But then he began believing that God judged him, did not love him, and that God withheld forgiveness for his sins. Even when I pointed out Scriptures of God’s unfailing love, forgiveness, and power, he felt he was doomed. “I just don’t feel God’s peace or joy”, he would say.

In his first epistle, John explains that “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” He goes on to declare, ”I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Ah! The helmet protects the head, the source of our thinking! Knowing in our head that we have salvation and feeling we do are not the same thing. In time, this friend came around and once again believed — and consequently felt — God’s saving love for him. Praise God.

Do you believe Jesus is God’s gift to the world for salvation? You can know your salvation is secure by doing so.

God, I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of the world and of me personally. Thank you for the knowledge that in believing in him I may know I have eternal life in his presence. Amen.

Throughout This Day: If you have never prayed for God to forgive you of your sin, but want to make it personal, simply pray the prayer above and expand on it as you feel led. God wants to enter your life and make you his forever child.



Tags: Ephesians 6 Daily Devotional
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