This is from my wifes bulletin this week from her spiritual warfare series.
Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
Putting on the Full Armor of God[/i][/b]
[/i][/b]
Stand therefore, having [/i][/b]your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [/i]
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [/b]Ephesians 6:14-15[/b][/i]
In today"s bulletin we will focus on the third piece of armor mentioned in Ephesians 6, the "preparation of the gospel of peace." The member of our body that the Apostle Paul mentions is our feet. With our feet we stand and with our feet we walk. We are admonished as children of God in this spiritual battle to use our feet, and to have our feet properly shod.
Part of the process of growing is learning how to stand and walk, in that order. When we were babies we had to learn to stand before we could walk. As Christians we must learn to stand. Standing is mentioned three times in Eph. 6: in vs. 11 we are to "stand against the wiles of the devil"[/i]; vs. 13 says "having done all, to stand"[/i]; and vs. 14 says "stand therefore." [/i]If we take a look at the Roman Soldier"s footwear, we learn that the soles had nails or spikes which helped them to maintain their stance and be surefooted on uneven ground so that they would not slip. I used to live in an area that had snow and ice a few months out of the year. I learned quickly that if I didn"t wear the right type of footwear I would slip and fall flat on my back, and believe me, that is not fun! In life there will be many occasions that we will be facing uneven ground. If we are not ready for these times and are caught unprepared we might slip. Spiritually speaking, how can we be prepared to stand? The Apostle Paul very clear tells us how " with the "preparation of the gospel of peace."[/i] When we are facing times of trials or turmoil how can we make it through and stand firm? With the gospel! With God"s Word we can receive words of hope and comfort, words that give us strength to stand and face another tomorrow, and in accepting that Word we will find great peace. Isa. 26:3 says "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee."[/i] In Jn. 14:27 the Lord tells us, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart by troubled, neither let it be afraid."[/i] In a world of chaos the "peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"[/i] (Phil. 4:7). There"s that word "mind" again. Remember where one of the battlegrounds is?
As we continue our growing process and learn how to stand with peace, we move on to the next stage, walking. We cannot stay in one place all our lives. We must move forward. And as we move forward we must remain prepared with the peace that God will be there for us, even when we feel unsure. Last night I dreamed that my 16 year old son was a toddler again, learning how to walk. He was very shaky at first, but he kept trying to put one foot in front of the other because he knew that I was there to catch him if he fell and I was there to pick him up and help him get back on his feet. In our walk with Christ we can rest assured because with His own words He tells us, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world"[/i] (Matt. 28:20).
So far we have focused on how being prepared with the gospel of peace helps us, but this peace isn"t meant just for our own selves. We are a living testimony to others. Whether we realize it or not, other people are watching us. They are watching how we handle life"s situations, whether we are handling things with a Christian-like attitude or not. That is why we are "beseeched" in Eph. 4:1-3 to "walk worthy[/b] of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace[/b]."[/i] In Heb. 12:13-15 we are told to "make straight paths for your feet[/b], lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace[/b] with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."[/i] While we are walking we must be careful to "look diligently"[/i] for obstacles that might trip us up like a "root of bitterness"[/i]. If we allow things like bitterness to trouble us, it will take away our peace and not only that, if a "lame" person is watching, it might cause that person to be "turned out of the way".
As others watch how we handle ourselves, they too will start desiring the peace that we have, and so we must be "prepared" to share this peace with them. There are so many people living in despair and depression, wanting peace in their lives. Who better to show them than us as peacemakers? (see Matt 5:9). 1 Pet. 3:15 tells us to "be ready always[/b] to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."[/i] In Heb 12:12 we are told to "lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees." [/i]
Do you consider yourself to be a child of God? Then be a peacemaker! Let God"s peace reign in your heart and mind. Stand firm with peace in knowing that He is with you. Walk in peace with others. Don"t keep that peace to yourself, share it with others! For as Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15 say, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"[/i]
The Gospel 0f Peace
