Armor of God - part 3 - the shoes of peace. Can we really have peace? We have to fit our feet with the shoes? What are we preparing for? Whats the gospel?

We have been talking about the armor of God. See previous blog posts on the belt of truth, and the breastplate of righteousness.   Now we will talk about the shoes of peace.  Scripture says “and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15 BSB.  We are to bind our feet with these shoes, which means get them ready to stand. We put on the gospel of peace.  Readiness really means preparation, or the act of preparing. Therefore, we are preparing ourselves to stand!  The gospel of peace allows us to do that.   The gospel, is the good news, the entire bible, the truth contained in the gospel.  We know truth is our solid foundation on which everything is grounded, or attached to.  Peace is wholeness, when everything is tied together, and Gods gift of wholeness.  Its also the peace of a soul when it is assured salvation.  And we know that it says that Jesus became flesh and blood “so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” Hebrews 2:14b-15 BSB.  This is a good example of that peace that comes with assurance of salvation. There is no longer even a fear of death, or anything that comes with the punishment of sin.  Peace is defined as no fear of punishment from God, and peace with God, and blessing and prosperity.

Video here on this topic:

Let’s explore what the actual Roman armor looked like.  The shoes were quite thick soled leather shoes or sandals, with nails for spikes to the bottom of them, that were angled in such a way that it made it easy to go forward but difficult to go backward.  These shoes help you hold your ground, not slip, and to keep walking forward.

The Roman armor was very great for the front of the body, with the breastplate and shield, but very limited on the back.  It makes sense that to be safe, they would need to meet their enemy head on, and not retreat. If they turned their back on the enemy, and tried to run, they wouldn’t be protected by the amazing armor, and the sword wouldn’t even work the same.  So, let’s not turn our back on our enemy either.   We should instead “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith” 1 Peter 5:8-9a BSB.

We are to not back down.  To be sober-minded means to not be intoxicated, but really that’s intoxicated from the effects or influence of sin, and worldly lies and illusion. To instead to present, clear minded, self-controlled, and we do that by being dead to self, dead to the old sin nature, and live in Christ.  We are to be focused on the word of God, the truth, standing on our firm foundation of the word of God.  We are to be vigilant and watchful.  This could be paying attention to the enemy’s schemes, but I believe its vigilantly focused on the word of God, and truth, and then the darkness just stands out! 

And God’s peace is so much better than the worlds. It is that peace with God, in relationship, in confidence of salvation, and it is in spite of circumstances. How do we get that peace?  Well, it says that it is given to us by Jesus. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” John 14:27a BSB.  The peace is not like the worlds. But you have a choice in it, you are to “not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid” John 14:27b BSB.   We also have peace, perfect peace, shalom, shalom, when we trust in God, and keep our mind on Him (from Isaiah 26:3).  We can trust in God. He is “the rock eternal” Isaiah 26:4b BSB.

We are also taught to “Rejoice in the Lord always”, and to “Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 BSB.  The peace of God doesn’t make sense in the natural. It is so great and awesome, and surpasses natural understanding, because its not dependent on the natural, or our circumstances in the natural. Its dependent on us trusting God, and submitting to Him, and focusing on Him (He is after all true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, etc.).  And we are told “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 BSB.  These are great instructions. We can trust in God, and His peace is worth it.

Doing these things, trusting in God, dying to self and submitting to Him, not letting our hearts be troubled, but presenting our requests to God, and praying, petitioning, thanking God, and then focusing on Him, and anything good that He created, allows us to have His perfect peace. Let’s do these things and put on the gospel of peace.  It’s a free will decision we have just like salvation, to receive the free gift He has given us. So even by doing these things listed above, we are not earning it, we are receiving what He’s given.  God knows how to help us.

The gospel of peace, and probably more so, is also that assuredness of our salvation. Confidence in salvation, in abundant grace, in being accepted in the beloved, a child of God, not to be removed. Its confidence in the freedom from even the fear of death, since we have eternal life now. Confidence that we have been given a spirit “of power, love, and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7b BSB.  So, let’s put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, and be ready together! 

Join us for live sessions where we go over this and other parts of the armor of God together, and in praise and worship sessions we go through the scriptures, and play songs and worship together. In the praising through God’s word sessions we read the scriptures and have a chance to choose praise through scriptures. In study sessions we ask questions, and go to the word and learn from the Holy Spirit together.  Go to my website HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page to get the weekly emails with zoom links and schedule. 

Here is the Armor of God playlist on YouTube.

References The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.