Sandals Of Peace

SANDALS OF PEACE

Ephesians 6.15

ILLUSTRATION PEACE IS THE BRIEF GLORIOUS MOMENT in history when everybody stands around reloading. —Lloyd Cory, Quote Unquote

Ephesians 6.15 “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE VERSE?

Equipment used by the Roman soldier is a sturdy shoe, without it no soldier could march far for battle. The Roman soldier’s shoes were fashioned from thick leather and studded through the soles with hobnails.

The studded soles enabled the soldier to stand firm. They kept the soldier’s feet from slipping in battle. Without his shoes, a Roman soldier could not be ready and be able to maintain his position against his enemies.

The phrase “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” means to put one’s feet into a condition of readiness or be equipped with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

The Bible speaks of the importance for the followers of Christ to be prepared or ready for spiritual battle. Paul said that the “gospel of peace” is the foundation for preparing ourselves for spiritual battle.

HOW DO WE GET READY FOR BATTLE?

I. BE AT PEACE WITH GOD

The gospel of peace is the good news regarding the peace that God provides for all men. It is the restoration of spiritual health or wholeness that the Good News proclaims and affects. Satan is not only the great LIAR, ACCUSER, but also the great DIVIDER or DESTROYER.

In this world, we need to choose whose side we are going to – God who offers peace or the Devil who divides and destroys our lives. When we choose the devil’s side, we become enemies of God.

James 4.4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

2 Corinthians 4.4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

When we choose God’s side, we become enemies of the Devil.

1 Peter 5.8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

When we put our faith in Jesus, we have peace with God and were reconciled to God through the death of his Son.

Romans 5.1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 5.10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

We can only resist the devil and temptations when we are on God’s side and submissive to His will.

James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The question now is “whose side are you?” If you belong to the side of devil, you are an enemy of God and there is no way you can win your battle against God.

But if you belong to the side of God, you are an enemy of the devil and God will enable you to win your battle against the devil. In fact, God already destroyed the power of the devil over you through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Whose side are you? Those who are still undecided, I hope that you will choose God. When you have chosen God through His Son Jesus Christ, you are at peace with God and that alliance with God is our strength to face the devil. We are ready to face the devil.

II. BE AT PEACE WITH ALL MEN

In addition to our peaceful relationship with God, God wanted us to pursue peace with one another. Why? Because our inter-personal conflict can be exploited by the devil and cause us to sin.

Hebrews 12.14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord

Disunity, unforgiving spirits, hatred, envy, jealousy, factions, critical spirits, and divisions are all tools of the devil. God’s peace is our weapon against all of these.

Colossians 3.15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

Therefore aside from making sure that we are at peace with God, we must also pursue peaceful relationship with others. Practice regularly the “one another commandments” of God.

Be affectionate to one another; be in agreement with one another, accept one another, serve one another, carry one another’s burdens, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, encouraging one another, be concerned about one another, confess your sins to one another, and love one another.