Armor of God Series – Walking Peace
Why does the Word call the footwear of our armor shoes of the good news of peace? More specifically, why does it say we should have our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace? [Ephesians 6:15]
How does the Gospel/good news bring peace?
The New Living Translation helps to clarify this way, “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared”.
It’s almost ironic to call it the “Gospel of peace” when we contrast this to the reality of the number of wars and persecutions that have been launched in the name of the Gospel. But was never the intent of the Good News. Was it?
There are many ways that the Gospel rightly taught and rightly understood can bring peace to our lives, and our relationships. If we are truly grateful for what Jesus has done for us, aren’t we more patient with others who struggle and need forgiveness?
If we know that the whole purpose of this life, the reason God created humans, is so that we can become His children and live forever with Him, won’t we view the tough times in this short life as more of a momentary trouble compared to eternity?
Won’t we rest in the peace of knowing that God is for us? Won’t we give up any hold that worldly things have upon our hearts?
To me, the best and most exciting work of the Gospel of peace is the peace that it brings in our relationship with God.
In Luke 8:48, Jesus tells the woman just healed “your faith has made you well, go in peace”, just has He had said to the woman who washed His feet for gratitude over being forgiven “many sins” in Luke 7:50.
“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared”.
You see, the sacrifice of Jesus – His beating and His crucifixion – heals our relationship with God, just as it heals our bodies.
Isaiah 53:5 tells us, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed”. For our peace. He did it so that we can have peace with the Father.
That peace is not possible without the blood of Jesus, because our sin separates us from God.
Ephesians 2:13-18 [ESV] 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
We were once far from God due to our sins. But Christ Jesus is our mediator, whose sacrifice made a way for us to be near again. Human nature is at war with God – not aligned with Him at all. [See Isaiah 55:8]
Through Jesus our ways and our thoughts become aligned with God and there is peace between us. This is the best news yet.
So, sweet sisters, lace up those peace shoes and march forward it to spread the good news everywhere you go. May you always walk in peace.
I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comment section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org