Gospel of Peace

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; . . . 

Ephesians 6:15

Apostle Paul mentions our feet being shod with the preparation of peace in Ephesians 6.  He compares our spiritual armor with that of the Roman soldier.  What purpose did shoes serve for a Roman soldier? What purpose do these spiritual shoes serve for the believer?

Shoes, like the belt, may initially seem superfluous or non-essential.  However, Imagine a fully armed soldier. He has his sword, his shield, his helmet, his breastplate and his belt... but his feet are completely bare. The picture probably seems strange, and it should! Just by envisioning it, we can tell something is missing.

But the problem goes beyond just looking odd, it presents an incomplete picture of a fully armed soldier. A shoeless soldier could run into real trouble in the heat of battle. Unless he is fighting on carpeted ground, he is going to encounter some debris. It may be nothing more than twigs and pebbles, but to a bare foot that can cause serious pain—and one of the last things you want to deal with in the middle of a fight is worrying about where you step.

In short, shoes allow us to step freely and without fear while we turn our full attention to the battle at hand.

So what is the Gospel of Peace? It is the good news about Jesus Christ; His grace (unmerited pardon) and His plan of salvation for all mankind. This is what our feet should be swift to carry.

Shoes, like the belt, may initially seem superfluous in a discussion about spiritual armor. They're great to have, sure, but aren't they more of a convenience than a necessity? Are they really that important?  Yes, our spiritual shoes matter and we need to make sure we're equipped with them before we get onto the battlefield!

What is the gospel of peace? Are there different gospels in the Bible?  Decide for yourself:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.  Matthew 4:23

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1 

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God...  Mark 1:14

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24

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!"  Romans 10:15

The gospel of the Kingdom, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of the Kingdom of God, the gospel of the grace of God, the gospel of peace—these are some of the descriptions attached to the word gospel throughout the New Testament. Do all these different qualifiers mean that there are multiple gospels set forth in the Bible?

No. The Greek word translated gospel—euaggelion—simply means "good news." This raises a question: The good news of what? The first description used in the Gospels also summarizes all the others: The gospel of the Kingdom. The good news of the Kingdom of God includes the good news about Jesus Christ the King, His grace (unmerited pardon) and His plan of salvation for all mankind. This plan gives us peace now, and will bring peace to the whole world! This is the message God's people are eager to share with others. Our loving Father is preparing us all for a future beyond imagination and description.

What does the gospel of peace have to do with shoes?

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!"  Romans 10:14-15

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 Apostle Paul's day, he walked countless miles in delivering the good news. Today, transportation and communication have changed, but we must also be continuously ready to do our part to spread the good news to all who have not heard or been made aware.

And the way of peace they have not known.  Romans 3:17

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.

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6

Following Christ's steps is the way to real peace.

The Bible makes it clear that, when God's Kingdom is established and the entire world begins to live God's way faithfully, the resulting peace will be universal. There will be no more war or fear, only the worldwide peace that comes from God's way of life.

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.  Isaiah 2:2-4

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.    Isaiah 9:6

Apostle Paul tells us that our preparation for battle is the gospel (good news) of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The work of Jesus here on earth brought us peace with God. This reconciliation through Jesus allows us to fight with boldness, confidence, perseverance, and peace.

This is the gospel as we have received it. It is foolishness to many, but life and light to those who believe in it and are willing to follow and be "included in" Christ's death. In practice, the Gospel means we are dead to our self-life with all of its lusts and instincts, and alive with new life in Christ. The good news is that by considering ourselves "dead men" in Christ, we can be put at peace with God in Christ. If we have truly died to self, then over time our instincts will be "dead" to the ungodly influences of this world which used to move us. Those standing on the gospel will not react according to our carnal self nature.  Instead, we will move by God's Spirit with a protected disregard for such "fleshly" considerations and being "readied" by the "shoes" of the "death, burial, and resurrection of Christ", which is the Gospel that brings peace.

How do these spiritual shoes help us stand firm?

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27

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,  

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33) 

and so we have nothing to fear from it.

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.  Luke 10:19-20

Just as shoes allow us to walk on otherwise painful terrain without fear, so the preparation of the gospel of peace allows us to traverse the otherwise painful trials and tribulations of life without fear, knowing that what awaits is greater than anything we could possibly suffer in this world 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  (Romans 8:18)




(Biblical Studies)

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