"...and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. *Ephesians 6:15, NKJV)
When Paul wrote Ephesians, He was in a Roman Prison looking at a Romans Soldier. His context wasn’t fashion, but the fight they were in…Because Life is War
Soldiers shoes were made with intentionality. Proper shoes were essential. They took long marches across tough terrain. If you aren’t firm on the ground, it doesn’t matter what you can do. So, Romans soldiers generally wore tough leather sandals. They would pound nails from the inside through the bottom of the shoe, like football cleats, to give the soldier the ability to stand firm in his footing when he was engaged in battle; to give him the ability to run down hills without slipping and falling!
Paul sees a great spiritual principle as he looks at the shoes of the soldier:
The Shoes of Preparation of the Gospel of Peace = Spiritual Stability
Truth is, we live in an unstable world. Things are a bit uncertain: Economically, politically, relationally, and Spiritually. Things may be a bit unstable for you right now in your personal life. What Paul is addressing here is spiritual stability.
Spiritual Stabiility is when everything around you seems out of control and uncertain, but you are confident, sure and at rest because you know you have an immoveable, unshakeable, and unstoppable faith in Christ.
What is it that allows us to stand (as believers) to never slip or slide or fall – To Stand boldly – with Confidence? What gives us firm footing! It’s having your feet prepared and ready with the Gospel of peace.
THE STABILIZER OF LIFE = THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is Good News. It is Good News THAT YOU’VE MADE PEACE WITH GOD and are No longer at odds with Him.
Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5, NKJ)
We have peace with God through Jesus Christ. What does it mean to have peace with God? It simply means that God is not your enemy! No more enmity or hostility. You now know that He is for you and not against you. If God is for you, who can be against you, right?
God is your strength and stability
Be strong – be bold – be confident in this – that He is for you, not against you. He’s given you power and every other thing you need for peace in this life. Everything you need for life and godliness. Have confidence in that He wants you to have the confidence that He’s on your side. There is stability in that.
Now- let’s get practical …
We don’t live by feeling or instinct. We live by the indwelling Christ, the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth. He leads us down paths of righteousness, but it doesn’t mean that all the paths are smooth. It just means that he gives you the stability to navigate every path.
There may be chaos all around us, but there is no confusion inside of us about who we are. There is a way to respond to the chaos – with stability, with strength, and with confidence, because we are living out of an established identity. We aren’t searching for it!
There is stability in knowing who we are in Christ. There is peace in that. That is why the Gospel is the Gospel of Peace. When you get that nailed down, you accept it, you believe it! Then - you Live IT!
Have you established that? Get your shoes on. Get Ready. Be prepared!