When putting on the "Whole Armor" of God we often overlook the importance of having our feet "shod with the gospel of peace." A very close friend of mine took the time to tell many others about just how important those shoes really are. I hope you enjoy and take to heart what he had to say:
You are a soldier of the Lord ... and as such you are to stand on the Word ... and stand on the Rock— both of which are Jesus Christ. And as a soldier, do you stand unshod? Is there nothing on your feet to secure you to that Rock? Ephesians tells us there is: So, you see there are shoes on your feet. The shoes of the gospel of peace.
"Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." — Ephesians 6:15
Everything depends on those shoes. In fact, if there is a single piece of armor that is more important, it is not the sword, or the shield or the helmet. It is the shoes. For it is on those shoes that everything rests; it is in the gospel which those shoes represent that we hold all we have. You have your loins girt about with the belt of Truth? Wonderful! It is from God's Word that we know Christ and learn that He Alone is Truth. ( John 14:6) You are wearing the helmet of salvation? Terrific! But it is from God's Word that we learn that salvation comes through faith in the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8) You have on the breastplate of righteousness? Awesome! But that righteousness that protects you is not your righteousness but the Righteousness of God provided by Jesus Christ, as it tells us in the Word. (Romans 3:22) You are carrying the shield of faith at the ready? Excellent! But where did you get that faith? Did it not come by hearing? And your hearing by the Word of God? (Romans 10:17) And you have in your hand the Sword of the Spirit? Splendid! But what IS the Sword of the Spirit? Is it not the very Word of God? (Ephesians 6:17) And does the gospel given in that Word not save you if you hold fast to it? (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
You see, everything you need is based on the shoes that anchor you to the Rock on which you stand. In other words, everything you need and know is ALL based on—and arising out of—the Word of God. Let us stand fast, then, on this Word. For it alone gives light ( Psalm 119:130) ... and life (James 1:18). It alone testifies of Christ. (1 John 5:7)
And note that it is the PREPARATION of the gospel of peace. We need to be prepared with it. And the only way to do that is to hide it in your heart. Make it part of your every day life.
--Adrian Bateman, Canada
May the Lord prepare your heart to put on those "Gospel Shoes" so that all of the other armor may be properly placed as you go out and face the spiritual battles with the Commander of the Army of the Lord on your side!
God Bless
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