Ephesians 6:13–18 (ESV)

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

We are examining each individual piece of armor, so that we can fight the battles that lie ahead and win.  

Paul links the first three pieces of armor together.

1. “having fastened on the belt of truth”

2. “having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (verse 14)

and now, 

3. “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” (verse 15)

We must be clothed with truth and righteousness before we can ever hope to live in readiness that comes by the gospel of peace.

Let’s think for a moment of what the gospel message is all about. Many would define the gospel message as “turn or burn.”  In other words, to keep from going to Hell, we must turn to Jesus so we can go to Heaven. While Hell is real and Heaven is real, and while it is true that those who are without Christ are subject to the wrath of God, this idea has created much false evangelism because it is void of the main reason that we should come to Jesus. 

The reason one is drawn to Jesus should be that he recognizes he is a sinner and because of his sins he has been separated from God. It is the recognition of God’s love for us that draws us away from our sin and toward the Savior.

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When we come to Jesus and receive forgiveness of our sin, we experience peace with God.

Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

You see, God views anyone who has not received Jesus as His enemy. But, Jesus through His death provided a way for us to be made right with God. We are now God’s friend and we have peace with God.  Romand 5:10 Paul says, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,…” 

But there’s more; Paul continues.. “much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”  

By Christ’s death, we have peace with God and, by Christ’s life, we are saved or delivered into the peace of God.

To me, the best definition of peace is a sense of order. Without Christ, our life is full of disorder, but when Christ comes into our life, we are granted a sense of order. Therefore, before Jesus went back into Heaven, He said this to His disciples:

John 14:27 (ESV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Now, here is the point: if we are not experiencing peace with God and the peace of God, we have no shoes on our feet. We are not ready for the attack that come on the evil days. 

We are also not ready to deliver the gospel of peace to others. For if they do not see our peace in Christ, then our message is hollow.

Have you made peace with God by receiving His Son’s death on the cross as full payment for your sins?

Are you experiencing the peace of God in that you have a sense of order in your life?