EPHESIANS: Peaceful Shoes
EPHESIANS Number 73
THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE
(Peaceful Shoes)
Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (KJV 1900).
I love the way the translators of the NIV put this. They render it, “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15, NIV). This communicates the meaning of the Greek very well. We who have understood the Good News and responded in belief, are well prepared. 1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (KJV 1900) comes to mind.
When this passage talks about the Gospel of peace, it may at first seem out of place. It says that we wear shoes of the Gospel (or good news) of peace. If we keep in mind that we have been directed to stand, Romans 5:1–2 (KJV 1900) can show why this impacts our ability to stand. It says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Because we have been justified and made righteous, we have peace with God. We no longer need to fear His wrath. The enemy will try to tell us that we should. As he did with Jesus in the wilderness, he might even use scripture. Maybe he will select a passage such as Hebrews 10:30–31 (KJV 1900) “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
The truth is that we are not to worry or be anxious. We are told in Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV 1900) to, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This keeping means to keep watch, to guard, to protect.
Knowing the good news that we have peace with God allows us to stand, and not only to stand, but to move forward with confidence. We can live our lives without fear of punishment. We can endure hardships without doubting Father’s favor. We can grow at the pace that is best for us without concern that we are not enough.
When we know the good news that Christ is in us, we know that His grace has rescued us from slavery to sin. Now we are ready, even eager, to treat others with compassion, grace, and mercy, just as we've been treated by God.
The Gospel of peace, the best news ever, prepares you for what the world throws at you. Knowing the grace of God, you are at rest as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
You know the Gospel of peace, and you know that you have peace with Him. You know the good news that His peace is being borne in your heart because Peace Himself is in your heart. That peaceful good news makes you ready for the enemy’s onslaught. That readiness is like shoes on your feet, so you can run to Father right away.
The sandals of Gospel readiness fit.
