‘And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.’ Ephesians 6:15.
Shoes indicate an intent to travel. Adequate protection for our feet allows us to trek long distances across varying terrains in different weathers or, spiritually speaking, through challenges and trials.
Here, Paul is instructing us to put on shoes so we are ready to spread the good news about the Gospel of Peace when the opportunity arises (that is, the good news about how Jesus provided the way to be at peace with God).
This echoes the writings of Isaiah:
‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!’ Isaiah 52:7 (also quoted by Paul in Romans 10:15).
We spread this news by giving an account of our faith to others when God gives us the opportunity to do so. Sometimes we do this without words—by behaving in a righteous way with integrity, respect and kindness, or simply setting ourselves apart from the world through honourable living. Sometimes it’s found in the conversations we have with those who are struggling in life; providing compassionate, godly support and advice in their difficulties.
But why is this spiritual warfare?
Because it brings hope to people who are in despair. It allows more people to be reconciled with God and to join his kingdom. It also supports more people to find freedom from Satan's influences.
We must notice that Paul specifically calls it the Gospel of Peace. Peace means freedom—if not from conflict, from distress and suffering in the midst of conflict. Peace is so important to God that he links it to his identity, describing himself as ‘the Lord of Peace’ (2 Thessalonians 3:16) and his son as ‘the Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). The angels proclaimed ‘peace on earth’ when Jesus was born (Luke 2:14).
Why then does Jesus say, ‘Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword’ (Matthew 10:34)?
The peace Jesus brings is between us and God, as his sacrifice made the way for us to have a direct relationship with God. It's true that it's our responsibility to ‘if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men’ (Romans 12:18). But there will not be complete peace on earth until Satan is defeated in the end days. Until then, the two kingdoms remain at war, and we must pick a side (‘He that is not with me is against me.’ Matthew 12:30).
By spreading the Gospel of Peace, we give others the opportunity to find peace through a relationship with God, despite the spiritual battle taking place around us. Satan doesn't want us to be in a place of rest, the very thing Jesus promises us if we come to him (Matthew 11:28). Remaining in peace is a way of fighting the devil.
‘The preparation of the gospel of peace’ suggests we are to adapt a readiness to speak about God at any time and, like Paul, to be able to say, ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ’ (Romans 1:16). By putting on the ‘shoes’ to spread the good news, we are actively opposing Satan and his kingdom, and bringing glory to God. For the Christian Israelite, the ‘good news’ is not just the salvation of the soul but of the life of the body.
For both, we require faith, which Paul describes as a shield. We’ll investigate the meaning of this next.
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