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We learn the importance of righteousness from the characters of the Old Testament. In Genesis we discover how God saved Noah and his family because He saw he was righteous …
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Paul lists the belt of truth as the first piece of God’s armour. The great foe is a deceiver. By deceiving the entire world, he holds them in darkness and …
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According to Paul, we face a formidable foe. Although he is a defeated foe, a battle still rages. Because of the work of Christ, we have the armour necessary to …
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Paul throughout his letter to the Ephesians has admonished them in what their walk with God should look like. Perhaps by this time in the letter, a keen awareness of …
The proper footwear proves essential whether going for a walk, running a race or working a job site. It provides security, comfort and stability. When Paul addresses the need for a Christian to wear their armour, he does not neglect to mention footwear. He states, “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Even the Christian needs to have the proper shoes on. The shoes worn by the Christian soldier come with purpose, demand readiness and are dependent on the Holy Spirit.
With Purpose
In Mark 16, prior to the ascension, Jesus tells His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” When Jesus pulled Peter aside at the seashore, He asked him to “feed my sheep.” In Romans Paul asks the questions, how can they call on One they don’t believe in? How can they believe if they haven’t heard? How can they hear without a preacher? As Christians we have the grand purpose to take the good news of peace everywhere.
It Demands Readiness
Paul tells young Timothy to be ready in season and out of season. He tells him to convince, exhort, and rebuke. He instructs him to do it with longsuffering and teaching. The apostle Peter teaches his readers to always be ready to explain the reason for the hope resting within them. He says to do it with meekness and in fear. We need to be ready, to have in our heart, the answer of the good news about Jesus.
Dependency on the Holy Spirit
Even Jesus knew his ability to preach came from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He told His disciples the words they needed would come from the Spirit. They did not need to worry about what to say. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts, the disciples could preach with boldness. Paul asked his followers to pray for him, to have utterance, to open his mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel. Paul knew it wasn’t the wisdom of words he needed. He needed the work of the Holy Spirit so the cross of Christ would not lose its effect. We too rely on the Holy Spirit to speak as He gives us the open door, the words to speak, and the power of His Spirit to use His word.
Like raging wildfires, the lies of Satan fill our world. Let us have on our feet the good news of the gospel of peace, aware of our purpose, in readiness and in dependence on the Holy Spirit that we might stomp out the destruction of the enemy. For the shoes worn by the Christian soldier come with purpose, demand readiness and are dependent on the Holy Spirit.
