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Ready and Steady

Words of Faith Final

Ready and Steady

Words of Faith 5-11-2021

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Ephesians 6

[14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace.

 

       The Armor of God is shaping up.  We started with the Belt of Truth.  Jesus is the Truth that everything else hangs on.  If we are not wrapped in the Truth of Christ, nothing else will protect us.  He is the belt that surrounds us.  On this Truth hangs the Breastplate of Righteousness.  This is our heart protector.  This is the Righteousness of Christ that protects us from the Accuser.

        What is next?  It might surprise us on a first reading.  Shoes! We might think of many other offensive weapons or protective gear, but both generals and foot soldiers knew the value of shoes.  Both Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar attested to the many battles that were won or lost because of footwear.  In many situations, rough terrain was the real winner in battle, and an ill-prepared soldier was defeated.  Roman legions wore hobnail boots called caligae to provide protection and traction in war.

       For the Christian warrior in the Spirit, footwear is just as critical.  Your feet are to be "fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."  The Gospel does one thing--it sets us at peace with God.  Our feet are wrapped in that peace.  The truth of Christ has declared us righteous in the sight of God.  This provides heart protection from outward attack but it also provides inner peace that we can find in no other place. 

       The peace of Christ gives us both readiness and steadiness. 

       The readiness we find in the peace of Christ allows us to respond and move into any situation without fear.  In that peace, we have the ability to hear, trust and obey such that we move across rough terrain.  The more that we abide in the peace of Christ, the less attached we are to the things of this world that might hold us back.  The more we are at peace with God in Christ, the less likely we are to allow pride to be a barrier to us.  We have a readiness in Christ to wait, go, or do some other action exactly as He pleases.

       The peace of Christ also provides steadiness.  Because of the Gospel of peace, we are steady as well as ready.  We have what one translation calls a "firm footing."  We are not pulled aside by the wind of every new argument or spiritual fad.  We have a firm footing that protects our walk.  We are at peace in Christ, and we don't need another gimmick or trend. We have traction when we need it and stability when we want it. 

     The prophet Isaiah declared the heart of God: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (52:7)

     Do you want beautiful feet?  Ready feet?  A steady walk?  These are found only in the Gospel of Christ that sets you at peace with God, yourself, and those around you.

 

      Father God, I want to be ready and to respond when you speak.  Settle me into the peace that is found only in Christ and His sacrifice for me.  Steady my walk.  Ready me for witness.  Protect my journey.  In Jesus’ Name.