Taking Our Stand (Part V)

September/27/2010 09:47 AM

Puttin' on our Gospel Shoes!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:10-15)

So far we have picked up our belt of truth and our breastplate of righteousness. Now, let's put on our shoes. Different occasions call for a different pair of shoes from my closet. If I am going out for a jog in the neighborhood, I wouldn't choose my flip-flops. They are comfortable for walking casually through the mall or on the beach, but not for jogging! If I tried to run in my flip-flops, I would be inviting injury because there would be no support as I pounded the pavement. I would have to run slowly or I might trip and fall, not to mention scraping my toes against the asphalt as my flimsy shoes fly off of my feet!

In the same way, we wouldn't wear our bedroom slippers to go to a job interview! We must dress appropriately for the situation, or the task at hand, in order to be successful.

It's imperative in taking our stand against the enemy to have the right shoes on. The Amplified version of Ephesians 6:15 says it this way:

"And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.”

The Roman military boot was called the "caligal." It was one of their most important pieces of equipment. These rugged military boots were designed for extended periods of walking and marching. They were sturdy, tough boots that could handle any rough terrain. Our shoes of armor are the toughest and the sturdiest! They cause us to stand against the enemy. We can walk through any rough terrain. No mountain is too big or any valley too wide! Glory to God!

Our shoes of armor are shoes of readiness because of the Gospel of peace. Satan is always striving to steal our peace and fill us full of fear, anxiety and worry. When he manages to be successful, our focus is no longer on the people around us in need of that peace. Our focus is also taken off of the victorious battle that we fight against the kingdom of darkness. He knows we would be disabled from bringing the peace of God to others when we are not living in the peace of God ourselves.

I love the verses in Phil. 4:4-7 and in 1 Peter 5:7:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

We possess the best news the world could ever hear. We know the Good News, the Gospel of peace. It should always be in our heart and on our lips. When the way of salvation through Jesus alone is fully woven into the fiber of our being, then we are able to proclaim it and explain it to others. We are able to share in any season or situation. We are also fully able to walk and stand sure-footed, steady and ready for any evil attack!

The thought of being ready reminds me of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. The ten virgins knew there was going to be a wedding. Five of the virgins were wise and five were foolish. There was excitement and anticipation in the air. They took their lamps out to meet the bridegroom. The foolish virgins took their lamps but didn't bring any oil to burn in them. The wise virgins, however, brought oil in jars along with their lamps. At midnight the cry was heard; 'Here's the bridegroom, come out to meet him!'

The ten virgins woke up and quickly began to trim their lamps. This was the moment they had spent so much time and effort to be ready for. The foolish virgins only had part of what they needed so they asked the wise virgins for some of their oil. The wise virgins replied to the foolish, "No, there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves."

It was a happy ending for the wise virgins but a very sad ending for the foolish. When the bridegroom came, the prepared virgins were welcomed into the wedding banquet. The ill equipped virgins, upon returning from buying oil, faced a shut door. They cried out and begged to come in, but were not allowed entry. Verse 13 says:

"Therefore keep watch (stay ready), because you do not know the day or the hour."

This parable shows how we must live for God every day. We must stay ready, always looking in anticipation for the return of Jesus to get His church, the bride. We stay ready by being full of the word, full of the Spirit of God, and living a pure and faithful life. If we are in a state of readiness it doesn't matter when He comes. Thus, we have nothing to worry about. We don't have to try to gather all we need at the last minute because then we miss the opportunity we have been given.

In the same way, we don't know exactly what each day will bring. The enemy's schemes are always at work to defeat the Christian and discredit God's word. But if we are in a state of readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace, then we won’t be caught off guard when evil comes against us. We won't be unprepared when we need to share the Good News with others. We won't be standing on shaky ground and slip. But while we wait for the Bridegroom, we must put on the full armor of God. We stand steady and firm when we put on our Gospel shoes!

Isa. 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation."

1 Col. 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.”

1 Col. 16:13: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”