Elements of Armor: Shoes of Peace

Ephesians 6:15 and being rim-footed in the gospel of peace.

Stand Ready (Prepared) for God's Service

The gospel is the great instrument by which God works the will and heart of man into readiness and preparation to do or suffer what He calls to.  

Stand ready for God's service no matter the cost. Preparation for the Gospel is preparation for suffering.

Philippians 4:12 I know how to be humble, and I know how to prosper. In each and every situation, I have learned the secret of being full and of going hungry, of having too much and of having too little. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

A Christian rules his life with an excellent spirit if he chooses to face up to and endure unpleasant experiences rather than avoid or escape them.

1 Corinthians 6:12 Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me. Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food, but God will make them both unnecessary. The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. God raised the Lord, and He will also raise us by His power.

Gospel peace works so mightily that it makes me glory in tribulations. I must be prepared to meet any trial and face trouble that might come.

The peace the gospel brings and speaks to the heart will prepare it to wade through any trial or trouble that meets a believer in his path.

• Readiness = A Heart full of Grace. 
• Readiness = Freedom from materialism, reputation, and pleasure. Freedom of spirit breaks all those chains and brings the Christian out of bondage.
• Readiness = Service. One cannot serve if unprepared to suffer reproach, contempt, or persecution. It does not do any good to acknowledge God if we are unwilling to lay everything at His feet. Neither is it worthwhile to set out with Christ unless we mean to complete the journey with Him and not turn back because of a tempest.   Romans 1:15-16 That is why I am so eager to proclaim the gospel to you who live in Rome too, for I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is God's power for the salvation of everyone who believes, of the Jew first and of the Greek as well.
• Readiness = True enjoyment of life.
• Readiness to Suffer = Many seek but cannot find because they desire a cheap religion through an easy profession.

Absence of fear

Where fear is, there is always torment. By meditating on miseries, a man kills himself a thousand times over as often as the fear of death steals into his mind.

When a person is finally brought to the foot of God and can earnestly surrender: Lord, here I am, ready to give you all I am and have; my will shall be done when your will has been done in me.

Psalm 23: Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who brings news of peace, who announces good things, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

The gospel of peace proclaims freedom to those bound with fears and besetting sins. Let those weary and heavy laden under the burden of sin find relief in Jesus, shake themselves from the dust of their doubts and fear, and loose themselves from the shackles that bind them. The price paid by the Redeemer for our salvation was not silver or gold or corruptible things but His precious blood. Seek victory over every sin. Desire holiness for the glory of God, who freely gives salvation and sets us free. Put on your shoes of peace and walk through this life prepared. A Christian rules his life with an excellent spirit if he chooses to face up to and endure unpleasant experiences rather than avoid or escape them.