SUNDAY LESSON, 7/17/22
PREPARE FOR WAR: FOOTWEAR OF THE READINESS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
Ephesians 6:15
This Sunday we move on to the third piece of God’s Armor that the Apostle Paul commands us to put on: “The Readiness of the Gospel of Peace.”
I have preached and taught lessons on the “Armor of God” several times over the years, and have made reference to Ephesians 6:10ff many times. However, this is the first time I have done an in-depth study of this passage taking each piece of God’s armor and preaching a lesson on it. This, of course, forces me to delve more deeply into the text, and, by doing so, I must confess that I have misunderstood and misapplied what Paul is actually teaching in Ephesians 6:15.
I always thought “putting on the shoes of the gospel of peace” was a metaphor for evangelism–going out to share the gospel. Although it may be implied, that is not the crux of what Paul is teaching Christians to do from this text. The emphasis is on “standing firm”. It’s only by “standing firm” on the gospel of peace will we be prepared to “go out” and share it with others.
EPHESIANS 6:10-15
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
