The Shoes of the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace

“…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” - Ephesians 6:15

Your shoes are your physical foundation. If you’ve ever worn a bad pair of shoes on a long walk, you know the consequences you’ll face in the form of blisters and sore feet.

The Shoes of the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace are your spiritual foundation. The Greek word used for “readiness” in this scripture is used to describe both preparedness and a firm foundation.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” - Isaiah 52:7

Our task: to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our tools: the Armor of God. And what is the command uttered over and over in Ephesians chapter six?

To stand.

“...take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” v.11

“...when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” v. 13

“Stand firm then…” v. 14

A command like this requires a solid foundation. You can’t stand on something shaky. Picture a pool float sitting on top ocean waves. Do you think you could stand on that? Not to mention fight?

No!

Jesus Christ is our only sure foundation, stable and grounded. If we try to stand on our own opinions or logic, it’s just like standing on that pool float in the ocean. I’d be impressed if you get up at all.

Of course, the obvious meaning of “readiness” is to be prepared. So what exactly are we preparing for?

In bible times, there was an oriental custom to send someone on the road ahead of the king to scout it out and make it passable for him.

As we are strapping on our shoes, we are not only preparing ourselves for battle, but preparing the hearts of people to receive Jesus Christ our King when he returns in his glory!

That means being prepared to share the gospel everywhere and to everyone. And to be prepared for something like this, your foundation must be solid. You must be completely rooted in Jesus Christ, putting on the Armor of God every day.

So you see, both uses of the word are necessary for us to understand and put on the Shoes of the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace.

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Now, if you’re reading this and wondering, “what is this ‘Good News’ and this ‘Gospel’ she keeps talking about? Why is it worth all of this fighting and preparing?”

Well, let me just tell you!

Not long after time began, humans rebelled against God’s good and holy instruction, introducing all kinds of trouble and chaos into the world. Since then, we’ve had lots of ups and downs, but not a single human in all of history was able to live a life worthy of a perfectly good and holy God, effectively separating us from Him and all of the good things He had planned for us.

UNTIL JESUS!

When Jesus entered the scene, everything changed. Jesus is God the Son and He decided to come to earth as a human, and a baby no less, to live a perfect life worthy of all of God’s goodness - that thing that none of us could do. Along the way, he healed and restored all kinds of people. At the end of his life, he died a brutal, criminal’s death and faced the wrath of God that the rest of us humans have been stirring up for centuries.

Friends. Let me tell you…

He. Didn’t. Stay. There.

That’s right! After Jesus’ sacrifice, he rose back to life, defeating death forever and is now seated in heaven with God the Father.

Why would he do all of that?

Because he loves you! You see, that sacrifice set things right between humanity and God and gave us a connection to Him again, so we no longer have to be separated. Through Jesus, we have a way back to God’s goodness despite our rebellion.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” - John 3:16-17

But wait, there’s more!

He’s coming back one day to restore humanity and all of the earth back to its original glory and to reign as King over all of creation!

Now THAT is Good News if I ever heard any!

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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

Brothers and sisters, we are fighting a battle. If our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus and prepare the way for His return, the enemy is going to use every power he has to try to stop us.

The power that raised Jesus back to life lives in you and that’s why we are able to put on the firm foundation that is the Shoes of the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace.

Let’s stand, Church.