Have you ever thought about why we wear shoes? The obvious answer is to protect our feet from various injuries. Anyway, that’s the practical reason. But we also wear them as a fashion statement or a declaration of position in life. And sometimes, we wear specialized footwear to perform a task better. No one plays football in cowboy boots. Considering the Whole Armor of God, we also have to think about shoes.
Paul wrote, “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15, NASB95) The shoes we put on declare our purpose for the moments ahead of us. What Paul is reminding us is to also prepare for the purpose God has for us. Be ready, and put on the right shoes for the task ahead. For all Christ-followers, that is the task of living and proclaiming the good news of peace.
I find it interesting and instructive that Paul chooses peace to describe the Gospel. So often, the Gospel or Good News is presented has many other things. Our evangelism often begins with conflict. For example, “you are a bad person, but God can make you right.” There is truth in that news, but not much peace. Or the Gospel has sometimes been presented as a way of prosperity. That is good news but misses the richness of peace and sorely misrepresents the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No, the good news of peace is entirely different.
Good News! God doesn’t hate you; He loves you. You may be at war with God, but God is not at war with you. In fact, He made the way through Jesus’ death and resurrection so that you could experience that peace. There is nothing you need to do, no sacrifice or penance. All He asks is that you say yes to His invitation.
Some evangelistic-leaning folks will find this take on the good news of peace a bit disconcerting. After all, don’t folks need to acknowledge the sin before God to be saved? Of course, that is part of accepting Christ. But should that part lead the discussion, or is it an unavoidable outcome of saying yes to God? Instead of leading with the ultimate outcome of sin, we are leading with the ultimate outcome of God’s love and forgiveness – peace.
Perhaps something Isaiah wrote will help us understand. “How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7, NASB95) Jesus, quoting another portion of Isaiah, proclaimed – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18–19, NASB95)
Let’s always be ready to live and proclaim the Gospel of peace. The world may rage all around us. Our life circumstances may be anything but peaceful. And yet, we can live in the peace of God’s love. Knowing that today’s struggles are just a small dot in the infinite mural of eternity with Him who loves us.
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