By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
Paul tells us to stand firm with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
You may not consider shoes to be part of your armour, but can you imagine going to battle shoeless? Or even running bare feet on the ragged thorny terrain.
You would most likely be in pain with every step, as you pass over all kinds of harsh landscapes. This will for sure limit your concentration and ability to fight.
The last thing you want to deal with in the middle of a fight is worrying about where you step instead of worrying about the enemy.
In short, shoes allow us to step firmly, freely and without fear while we turn our full attention to the battle at hand.
Sandals of the Roman soldiers often were fitted with nails, or armed with spikes, to make them hold firm in the ground and this gave them confidence in battle.
Without shoes you have no confidence and your ability is limited on a harsh battlefield. You stand to lose.
The gospel of peace
How can the gospel of peace be related to shoes? To start with, we must understand what the gospel of peace is. The word “gospel” means “good news,” referring to the sacrifice Jesus made for us so that we can be saved. As a result, this brings us peace.
Romans 5:10
Even when we were God's enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son.
Now we are at peace with God courtesy of the gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Paul states this about Christ’s peace Ephesians 2:14,
“For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.”
Verse 17
“He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”
How did Christ preach peace to us? Through the gospel—the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection on our behalf.
By grace through faith in Jesus, we are no longer enemies with God but are reconciled to Him. Our position in Christ is one of peace.
John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We have the gospel of peace and it also keeps our hearts at peace in this troubled world.
Our shoes equip us to walk through rough areas. In the same way, having hope in Jesus helps us walk through the trials we face.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
While we may face persecution in this life, we can rest in knowing the Savior of the world loves us and cares for us.
This a gospel of peace and establishes peace to sail through this troubled life.
When we truly allow ourselves to take comfort in the good news promised by God, there is nothing from outside ourselves that can trouble our hearts or give us reason to be afraid. Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33), and so we have nothing to fear from it.
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” In other words, let it be at the forefront of your mind.
Let it be what’s on our feet, no matter where you go or what you encounter.
If we do not look to God for peace, we will naturally look to food, drugs, relationships, pleasure, things, desires, or some other substitute to calm the chaos brewing within us.
This is what troubles this world. He alone is our peace and the peace that this world desperately needs.
A peace that surpasses understanding (Phil. 4:6–7). A peace that begins with the gospel
As Christians, we are called to share the good news of Christ with others. Having our shoes fitted with the gospel of peace allows us to do this successfully.
God's Church is sent to announce the good news of God's Kingdom, which will spread His way of peace around the whole world. Having our shoes on, we are ready to move, to spread these glad tidings to others.
In spite of all human attempts at peace, it's clear from the daily news reports that this world does not know the road to peace.
Just like having a good pair of shoes can help us walk across rough terrain, having confidence in Christ allows us to boldly proclaim His name.
With our feet fitted with the shoes of the gospel of peace allows us to be ready to share God with others at all times. As Christians, we should always be prepared, as we never know when an opportunity may arise to share the good news of the gospel with someone else. Ultimately, the shoes of peace equip us to fight for Christ in the spiritual battles we face.
Romans 10:14-15
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!"
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