Ephesians 6. Vs 14 Stand firm....Vs 15 with your feet shod with the preparation that comes through the gospel of peace.
The shoes we wear meet many of our needs. They are for times we need to go to formal functions, they protect our feet from getting cuts or insect stings ect. They are for everyday living. There are shoes to hike in. And there are shoes that we can run in. Some shoes have steel embedded in them so that if the wearer dropped something, and it landed on their toes, the steal protected them.
We know that our balance is very important.
Several years ago, I had to have some therapy While there, one of the guys that did the therapy with me, noticed that I was off balance when I stood still. I had not known this, nor had anyone ever told me that I was until he did. And so he showed me how to stand so that I would keep a balance, therefore a better chance of not falling.
I realized then how important balance is. Ok, so I am a slow learner. lol.
The balance was very important to a Roman Soldier. And so were the shoes that he wore. They had nail like cleats in them that helped them to march and also to help them keep their balance in battle. Because if they lost it and went down, their enemy had them where he wanted them.
But why did the Apostle Paul equate our shoes with the gospel of peace?
Did you know that we are God's soldiers of this time? And as such, we need to be both on the defensive and the offensive We need to be confident in both God and ourselves to stand guard to protect our hearts, minds, and souls against Satan's attacks. ...I am not ashamed, for I know who I believe and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what he has entrusted me. 2 Timothy 1:12.
Satan is going to try to throw everything at us to make us slip up and get off track if we indeed have ever put our trust in God in the first place. Our defense means we must stand with God and in his word against Satan, no matter what the circumstances are.
Additionally, We need to be made ready for our shoes to take us to spread the gospel of peace, Jesus Christ to others. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone that asks you the reason for your hope.1 Peter 3:15. Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. That means to prepare, to be equipped to do that. And to do it in a peaceful manner.
I think one of the biggest mistakes new believers make is when they are so excited about what Christ has just done for them, they want to tell it to the world. That is good but sometimes we want to make people see what he has done for us because we want them to know Christ as well.
When they don't understand, they can get pretty mad at us and tell us to quit shoving it down their throats. And it may turn them off from Christ altogether. When we tell others about Christ, we really do need to be prepared, be tactful, and understand that we were the ones to have the new experience, and not them. By studying Gods word and being at peace and letting him continue to change us, is probably going to be a better way they are may finally see their own need for a Savior then if we rush in and try to shove our faith "down their throats."We must remember God's grace when we are witnessing to other people because we need to extend it to them as well. For it is his grace that has got us where we are. Ephesians 2L8-9
"Shod with the preparation of the gospel", a tool that we need to fight against our enemy and have also in sharing with others is another part of the armor that we need. Are we ready to use it?
Today's source: What is the readiness of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)?
(Up tomorrow? THE SHIELD OF FAITH
I am glad you came today. May your day be rich in blessings!
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