STANDING FIRM

Today’s post is the fourth in a series about putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14).

Stand firm then…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

 

Roman warriors didn’t wear boots. Rather, they wore studded sandals like these replicas and then protected their lower legs with metal or leather greaves. Later, soldiers adopted boots as part of their armor.

Most Bible versions don’t mention a type of footwear in Ephesians. But many people refer to this portion of God’s armor as the “shoes of peace” or the “boots of peace.”

Stand firm then…

Paul reminds us that when we put on the armor of God, we are to stand. Not lounge comfortably, wearing our fuzzy slippers. We are to stand.

You gals who have taken a step onto ice, wearing 4” heels know the peril of simply standing. You guys wearing new dress shoes and stepping onto wet linoleum know the peril of simply standing. It’s hard to stand firm if you’re wearing the wrong shoes.

 

…with your feet fitted

We’ll be able to stand and move better if our footwear fits. Without proper fitting shoes, our feet blister. Too small and we limp. Too big and we trip.

Just like our faith. Too little and we limp along. Too much of ourselves thinking we know it all and we're likely to trip.

Without securing our properly-fitting shoes, we are not ready to stand. Much less are we ready to go where He sends us. 

…with the readiness

God can do all things in heaven and on earth. But lots of times, He uses us to get things done. With the Holy Spirit living in us, God is right there directing our actions. We can be God’s hands and feet in this world, accomplishing His purpose; fulfilling His plans.

If we are to be His feet, then, we should be ready to go where He sends us. Part of being ready is putting on our boots. Boots that are fitted to our feet with readiness. 

…that comes from the gospel of peace. 

Paul reminds us that we are to wear the “boots of peace.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace.” Therefore we should live a life like Jesus did.

But Jesus wasn’t always peaceful. He stood up for what was right and was ready—whip in hand—to make other people pay attention.

The United Nations sends out soldiers and calls them a “Peacekeeping Force.” Our police are referred to as “Officers of the Peace.” Sometimes peace is something we have to fight for. Or march toward. Or stand up for. All that peacekeeping requires us to put on the boots of peace, fitted for us by God.

And in addition to being peace keepers,we are also to be peace makers. One of Jesus’ beatitudes was: Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called Sons of God. As a child of God, I like that.

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One day, we get to slide into them golden slippers and walk all over God’s heaven.

Now those are boots of peace!

Meanwhile, wearing our boots of readiness from the gospel, we can first stand firm and then run Paul’s race with Jesus.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please put your armor on us. Please fit our feet with the gospel of peace so that we can stand firm and be ready to go where you send us, protected by your armor. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Did your mamma wear combat boots? Do you?