Shoes
Question of the day: In this crazy busy season, what brings you peace?
Good morning class. We are still in Ephesians six looking at the Armor of God. Today we are going to look at just one piece. Shoes.
Now I love shoes. I love comfortable shoes, beautiful shoes, shoes that make a statement, shoes that are cool, or warm, good for hiking, or great for just running to the mailbox. Each pair I love for different reasons, occasions, outfits, etc. Today we are looking at the shoes worn by the Roman Soldier.
Let's read together Ephesians 6:15
I would like us to read it in several versions.
First the NIV
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
KJV 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
RSV 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace;
Does anyone else have a version you would like to read for us?
What the Roman solder wore exactly is probably impossible for us to tell, although there are lots of opinions out there.
Many talk about spikes, one scholar even talking about how these shoes were killer shoes with spikes on the bottom, the toe and heal. That these shoes could kill with one swift kick.
Another scholar writes that there is evidence for there being nobs, or metal nibs on the bottom of their sandals to give them better traction.
Another scholar writes about there being a variety of foot gear depending on what type of battle they were headed into.
That made seance to me. After all ask any athlete or construction worker or anyone who works in an environment where good foot gear is vital and they don't always wear the same shoes. Example an athlete wouldn't wear his cleats on the basketball court.
In an effort to make this a bit more understandable for us, lets look at this from the perspective of athletic shoes. Cleats or basketball shoes, or golf shoes, etc. I just started playing golf and buying golf shoes was one of the first things I did. Why?
So why do athletes purchase special shoes?
What do special shoes provide?
How would these sports change if shoes were prohibited?
What if every sport was a barefoot sport?
We talked last week about how the belt was about giving strength and stability to the core which was foundational. Sure, it is but how important are shoes?
If you put on all the armor and don't have shoes how effective are you as a soldier?
How effective would a barefoot soldier be?
How effective is a Christian without peace?
OUCH
Truth"
Righteousness
Those are necessary but do we really see PEACE as necessary or as a "NICE TO HAVE BENEFIT?"
Is peace that necessary?
Why?
Do you have peace in your life?
What is peace?
Well the online dictionary defines it as:
noun
- 1.freedom from disturbance; tranquility."you can while away an hour or two in peace and seclusion"
- 2.a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended."the Straits were to be open to warships in time of peace"
At biblehub.com there is a definition of peace....
Peace [N] [T]The Meaning of Peace. In English, the word "peace" conjures up a passive picture, one showing an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root slm, which means "to be complete" or "to be sound." The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning" to be complete or whole" or "to live well." The noun had many nuances, but can be grouped into four categories: (1) salom [l'v] as wholeness of life or body (i.e., health); (2) salom [l'v] as right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, often established by a covenant (see "covenant of peace" in Num 25:12-13 ; Isa 54:10 ; Ezek 34:25-26 ) and, when related to Yahweh, the covenant was renewed or maintained with a "peace offering"; (3) salom [l'v] as prosperity, success, or fulfillment (see Lev 26:3-9 ); and (4) salom [l'v] as victory over one's enemies or absence of war. Salom [l'v] was used in both greetings and farewells. It was meant to act as a blessing on the one to whom it was spoken: "May your life be filled with health, prosperity, and victory." As an adjective, it expressed completeness and safety. In the New Testament, the Greek word eirene [eijrhvnh] is the word most often translated by the word "peace." Although there is some overlap in their meanings, the Hebrew word salom [l'v] is broader in its usage, and, in fact, has greatly influenced the New Testament's use of eirene [eijrhvnh].
God as the Source of Peace. God alone is the source of peace, for he is "Yahweh Shalom" (see Judges 6:24 ). The Lord came to sinful humankind, historically first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, desiring to enter into a relationship with them. He established with them a covenant of peace, which was sealed with his presence (see Num 6:24-26 ). Participants were given perfect peace (salom salom [l'vl'v]) so long as they maintained a right relationship with the Lord (see Isa 26:3; 2 Thess 3:16).
Later it also states this....
One cannot overlook the fact that this harmony will never happen until man has a right relationship (salom [l'v]) with Yahweh; it will be the result of the righteous rule of the "shoot from the stump of Jesse" who has upon him the Spirit of Yahweh; he is the "Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:6; see Jer 33:8-9).
Can we say then that having the shoes of peace would be to be in a right relationship with Christ, the Prince of Peace?
This time of year we sing about the "Prince of Peace" and we talk about, "peace" a lot.
So what is this peace and why is it so important?
What are some of your favorite verses about peace?
What is the "gospel of peace?"
Do you have peace in your life?
Do you seek out peace and see it as a necessary component of your Christian walk?
I want you to think a moment about the different areas of your life and whether or not you have peace in those areas.
Internal/ Soul
in your body
In your marriage or relationships
In your home
With your kids
In work
In church
If you don't have peace what are some of the symptoms?
Lack of peace makes you weak, just like going barefoot takes away your ability to fight.
It is important to note that the peace we are talking about here is a peace that is super natural and doesn't require there to be perfection, but it is a gift we can have from God. Just like all the other armor.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace is unexplainable. It is a peace that doesn't make sense. It is a peace that even when the devil is throwing darts is still present. It is a peace that doesn't require anything from our circumstances.
Yesterday Chris and I attended the last of the three company Christmas parties that his company puts on. I will admit at one point I was sitting there noticing shoes. You could tell by their shoes, who the brick layers and concrete workers were. Their shoes were obviously work shoes. Then there were the vendors, they had a very different kind of shoe. Then they women, and kids. Everyone in different shoes which spoke to their "work."
Their shoes said a lot about who they were.
What shoes are you wearing?
Are you wearing the shoes of peace that make you fit to move forward, to proclaim the Gospel to the world?
Are you wearing the shoes of peace that identify who you are?
A long time ago one of my brothers shared with me that he was an atheist. In that conversation at one point he said this, "I wish I did believe like you do. I wish I could have the faith that you have and the experience that you have because it is just so filled with peace. You have a peace in your life that I don't have."
Is that what the world sees when they see us?
Wouldn't it be amazing if when people thought of Seventh-day Adventists they didn't say, "yea those are the people who don't eat pork, or who don't work on Saturday, or who don't do....", but said, "those Adventists have a peace that is impossible to explain!"
Peace.
Why is peace like the shoes of armor?
Why or how does it ground us, or protect us while in battle?
Do you have on your peace shoes?
Comments
Post a Comment