I love how the New Living Translation words the verse in Ephesians about the Gospel of Peace.
Ephesians 6:15 – For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
The Gospel of Peace really comes down to one word for us as believers, assurance. We have assurance from God that we are His, and nothing can snatch us out of His hands.
John 10:29 – My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
It seems like in our world, especially today’s world, when we think of peace we think of a time where there is no war, no conflict personally, no disease threatening people. We look back in our lives and remember times of peace, especially when we are going through trouble in the present.
But the Bible shows us that peace is more than just the absence of conflict – peace comes from unity and closeness with God. It comes from assurance.
The shoes of peace brings us assurance. Confidence. It brings us hope (or at least it should). These shoes bring us a solid foundation.
The enemies of the Roman Empire would sometimes place sharp, spiked objects on the ground in front of them before a battle. Any attacking soldier not wearing shoes substantial enough for the attack would soon find himself crippled or killed. Though the shoes may sometimes get overlooked as a “well-known part of the soldier’s armor” they are vital.
The same is true for us, with the armor of God and the “shoes of peace”. Our enemy will use every opportunity to trip us up and put objects in front of us to distract, harm or cripple our walk with God. Only shoes God gives us as a part of His armor can give us the protection we need to keep moving safely across the battlefield.
So men, put on the shoes of peace that come from the Good News (the Gospel). When we wear these shoes appropriately, it provides us with preparedness, a firm foundation and a strong grip in life’s most difficult moments, which we will all have.
These shoes are assurance. No matter what the battle is, what we are going through, or how difficult the battle, we have “Good News” – nothing or nobody will ever be able to snatch us out of God’s hands.
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