Understanding the Armor of God: Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

​Understanding the Armor of God: Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Read time ≈ 5 minutes)
Ephesians 6:15
“and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace.”
 
It seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? The Gospel as shoes for your feet? These aren’t just any shoes. Now, remember, we are talking about armor! Not your Nike Dunks or your Chuck T’s. We are talking about military issue, ready for battle, footwear. In fact, Rome was ruling over much of this region at the time that Paul authored the letter to the Ephesians so he likely was drawing his armor illustration from the Roman Soldier of that time. The sandals that a Roman soldier from this era would wear were fitted with steel spikes on the bottom of the sandals ensuring a firm footing and good traction no matter the terrain that the warrior found himself on during times of battle. There is something unsettling about having unsure footing as you go about your business. Snow falls and things get icy, stepping across wet rocks in shallow water, even slick wet hard floors after mopping. There is a great deal of caution and uncertainty in our minds as we encounter these situations. Simply just walking across surfaces are one thing, but imagine engaging in warfare on an uncertain surface. Perhaps you are a skilled warrior, perhaps you believe your enemy is inferior… but one bad step and you’re dead. This is why the Roman soldiers wore the footwear they wore. They didn’t train for battle just to fall in battle to an unfortunate slip on the terrain. They needed to have the peace of mind that they could stand firmly in the heat of battle on any ground against any enemy.
 
An unstable footing will result in an unstable mind. If we are not firmly standing on the Gospel in all that we do then we are going to find ourselves on shaky ground spiritually. But we know that the will of God is not physically stationary! Jesus has commanded us to GO (Mark 16:15). Going to battle is not about finding solid turf to stand on, but rather equipping us with shoes ready for any terrain our war might take us. This is, the Gospel of peace.  We, as warriors in God’s Kingdom, will face heated battles. We don’t always get to choose where, or when. We just must be ready. But when we are standing firmly on Gospel Business each and every day, when we stand on HIS truth and not our own, is when no matter what battles come our way, and where they are, we will have peace of mind knowing that it is the Gospel that will hold us up, it will keep us on our feet and well grounded in the heat of battle. That we will have the traction we need for any terrain. That it is the Gospel itself that keeps us upright and ready for anything. “Stand on business”? How about “Stand on Faith”. You want peace? You need to stand firmly in the Gospel in all things you do. As you prepare yourself for war, the shoes of the Gospel of peace will have you ready for anything, anywhere, any time with the peace of mind knowing that it’s not you who holds your life on this battle field, but it is God Himself.