“having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news”
Ephesians 6:15 AMP
After putting on the Belt of Truth (submitting every area of our lives to the Word of God), and the Breastplate of Righteousness (the understanding that it is Christ’s Righteousness, not ours, with which we face the enemy) our next piece of armour is shoes. Shoes are for protection and stability as we walk. The Scriptures have much to say about feet.
Isaiah 52v7 says “how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news”
As Christians we are to be ready to bring the Gospel of Salvation to others. But often it is a long and difficult march. Mountains are not the easiest of places to walk. While the view may be breath-taking at the top, it takes a lot of effort to get there. I have a very weak ankle and I need strong and very supportive walking boots on mountain hikes. They are waterproof and have a thick sole with a deep tread, and a soft but sturdy leather cuff which supports my ankles. Without them I wouldn’t be able to hike on rough ground.
The understanding of the Gospel of Peace gives us stability in our own lives. When we know that God is not an angry judge waiting with a big stick to beat us every time we sin, we will have inner peace. When we know that He is our loving Heavenly Father who loves and forgives us, we can love and forgive others. When we know we are only ever sinners saved by His Grace, we can explain His Grace to others.
On the night of His betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Peter protested at first, but then asked for his whole body to be washed. Jesus replied that if you have bathed you are already clean and it is just your feet that need washing. John 13v10.
He was teaching them that when you are born again your sins have been washed away, but as you walk through this life you still need cleansed from the day-to-day battle with the old sinful nature. Even with thick sturdy waterproof boots on, my feet still need washing at the end of the day. My boots also need the mud washed off them and polish and water proofer applied regularly to keep them in good condition.
To be ready to share the Good News with others we need to be at peace with ourselves and with God, which requires daily washing with the water of His Word. Tired, dirty feet are not only cleansed, but wonderfully refreshed when they are soaked in a bowl of warm, soapy, sweet-smelling water. When we take the time to “soak our feet” every day in God’s Word, we will be prepared to bring the Good News to others
