Faith, hope, and love. That combination is probably most prominently found in 1 Corinthians 13.
But we also find it here in this passage, in the context of guarding our hearts and minds.
Paul wrote,
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8, ESV)
It’s interesting that Paul talks about the breastplate of faith and love here. In Ephesians, he talks about the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14).
Why the change? Perhaps two things. First, our righteousness before God is based not on our works, but on our faith. And second, our righteousness is expressed in love toward God and others.
As I mentioned earlier this week, we live in troubled times. And if we are to guard our hearts, we cannot afford to lose our faith in God.
Faith that he is good. Faith that he is in control. Faith that he loves us.
And if we are to guard our hearts and not become angry and bitter at all the evil we see around us, if we are to instead make a difference in this world that is dying because of sin, we need to choose to actively love those that Jesus died for (15).
But it’s important to also put on the hope of our salvation as our helmet to guard our minds.
This doesn’t simply mean rejoicing that we have been saved from our sin. It means rejoicing in the knowledge that Jesus will come again, and that all that is wrong in the world will be made right.
When we see all the evil in the world, we too often forget that.
Only by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation will we find ourselves able to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” (16-18)
So in these troubled times, I pray that you put on faith, hope, and love, and in so doing, guard your hearts and minds.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it…
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 28)
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