Ephesians 6:14-15 Gospel Shoes

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  Ephesians 6:14-15
 
As we continue to consider the armor of God, we have come to the shoes. To be more specific, given the context of Roman armor, we have come to the Roman soldier’s sandal-boot. Max Turner observes that this first-century combat boot “provides preparation or readiness for battle. What soldiers need in a holding battle is the good grip provided by nails driven through the sole, so that the front lines are not sent reeling and slithering by an enemy charge. Paradoxically it is a deep spiritual understanding of the gospel of peace that provides the church with this firm grip that is the ‘preparation’ or ‘readiness’ for the battle Paul has in mind.”[1]
 
So as you consider the boot analogy to gospel readiness, you can see that digging deep into the gospel is what will give you firm footing as you strive to stand against the spiritual forces aligned against you in this fallen world. There are a lot of topics you can study as you dig into your Bible and seek to understand Christian theology. None of them will prepare you as well for living in a world filled with people of darkness as the gospel does. Growing deeper in the knowledge of who Jesus is and what Jesus, by His grace, has done for you will prepare you for the battle.
 
Your journey through life in this evil day may seem treacherous at times and the mainstream philosophies of this world are indeed slippery. Nonetheless, gospel-readiness will give you a firm footing and bring you peace. I pray that this is your experience today.
 
Pastor Don 


[1] Max Turner, “Ephesians,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Downers Grove: IVP, 1994), 1244.