As shoes for the feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 ESV

Could you begin to imagine a solider in battle with bare feet? Glass, rocks, and sharp sticks would be all that is needed to cripple that solider. The devil does not want you to be ready for the battles you will face by having your feet protected with the gospel of peace. If the gospel of peace is lacking in the Christian’s life, so is the strength to stand. The gospel of Jesus should bring peace into your life and not condemnation because you are in Christ. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 ESV The gospel of peace is Jesus and his… SALVATION…. DELIVERING US FROM THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN. It is his story of salvation for the world, provided by the loving God of all creation.

PERSONAL SALVATION:
The gospel of peace will be evident in a person’s life when they have experienced it personally. It is God’s story in lives revealing the saving grace he has abundantly poured into us.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
God did what he did so that we might pass from death unto life when we believe. (John 5:24) Personal salvation does not happen by a formula of scriptures… saying or quoting the right scripture or verses. However, scripture gives insight as to how to securely know that you are saved. Salvation is the repentance of sin and a life change by no longer living only for yourself but choosing to follow God and being his disciple. It is a life dedicated to loving God after coming to know his great love for us, in that he became flesh, lived, died and rose again. A few Bible passages that point us in the direction of committing our life to him are ……. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:9-13 ESV ……..If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV ……
Many people believe salvation is acquired by working or living well. This will never bring peace, for this person will always be hoping and wondering if they have done enough. If you feel you must work to gain salvation, then let me give you a couple of Bible passages to reflect upon … Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:28-29 ESV ……… For by grace you have been saved through faith. And it is not of your own doing; IT IS A GIFT OF GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8 ESV Any work done as a Christian is not for salvation, but is the result of salvation. (James 2:18) The gospel of peace is not because of who we are but who we are in Christ. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are is Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 ESV

CONFIDENCE IN SALVATION:
When times become difficult it may seem hard to stand. It is during these difficult times one learns just how well they have dressed in God’s spiritual armor. The shoes in the Roman armor were said to have small pieces of metal on the bottom to help them dig in, thus enabling the soldier
to stand his ground. The shoes in God’s armor would have scripture points reminding us of who we are and enabling us to stand.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13 ESV
The confidence we have is not in ourselves but in the promised Holy Spirit, who has sealed us with a guaranteed inheritance. This should give us peace of heart and mind. In the Old Testament they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit in their lives, but they still praised, worshiped, and recognized that God is the God of salvation.
On God rest my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Psalm 62:7 ESV
Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverance from death. Psalm 68:20 ESV
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2 ESV
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stall, yet I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD; I WILL TAKE JOY IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV
Confidence is not dependent upon circumstance but upon the truth we know, and this is what we can know to be true……. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height, nor death, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8; 38-39 ESV……. God who saved us, will keep us, no matter what the devil tells us. Peace and confidence comes from knowing him personally as Savior and Lord.

SHARING THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION:
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15 ESV The shoes in God’s armor are not a fashion statement; they are a statement of proclamation- proclaiming the good news to all who will hear. A person who is deaf, hears with their eyes so to speak. They will read your lips in order to understand what you are saying. The person who does not know Christ personally is spiritually deaf and will hear what you are saying by how you walk in relationship with Jesus. This brings to light the importance of the saying … don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk. Here are some ways we are to walk…….
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 ESV
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. Colossians 2:6 ESV
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6 ESV

APPLICATION:
Think of someone you know who does not know Jesus as Savior. Pray and intentionally walk the gospel of peace before them this week and in the weeks to come. Think what you might do to share with words and action the story of God’s salvation / gospel. Do not worry about how well you can do this for it is not a performance; it is caring for someone who has not the hope of Christ. And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:1 ESV It is the power of the gospel to save, not our performance. Live on purpose for God, and God will give your life purpose.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David