What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a helmet?  Maybe a piece of padded plastic worn during exercise or athletic activity? Perhaps something vital that keeps the wearer safe when worn in a dangerous situation.  For soldiers or warriors of the past, helmets were worn so that you couldn’t be easily killed by violent actions of your enemy aimed at your head.

To be protected, the soldiers themselves need to wear their helmet.  You couldn’t wear the helmet for someone else’s safety – they couldn’t wear it for you.

Ephesians 6:17 tells Christians of the early church to take the “Helmet of Salvation” as part of the full armor of God.  In the fallen world that we all dwell, salvation alone saves us from the sure damnation we deserve and would face without it.  Every one of us is given the choice to take the helmet themselves.  No one can accept salvation on your behalf in the same way that a helmet worn by someone else would keep you safe from harm.

The word helmet is derived from the more basic “Helm” also describing a piece of armor worn over the head for protection.  A helm can restrict vision – or more accurately focus it.  And helms are not worn by soldiers who aren’t fighting or in preparation for battle. 

A person has many unique facial features that identify them from others, but a helm covers them.  It now is the most prominent identifier of that person.  It’s as if the person converts to another creation once the helm is donned.

In nautical terms, “helm” is the device that steers a vessel.  It alone dictates what direction the entire boat goes.  Salvation not only saves us from hell, but it also connects us with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Salvation transforms us from the sinners we were to new creations identified by the focus and direction we march in.

Symbolizing the sacrifice Jesus made, is a triple cross marked on the helmet in red.  Jesus was brutally tortured and beat, whipped and ridiculed, and nailed to a cross to die between 2 thieves.  Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, there are 3 parts of the trinity, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He shed his own perfect blood and marked those who accept His salvation as a child of God.  We are marked for attack from Satan, but we stand ready to fight – covered, protected, focused, directed, created new, blood bought warriors for Christ!