Tag: Gospel of peace
Day 4–Shoes of Peace!
Scripture reading for March 12: Ephesians 6:10-15 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace.”
As first responders we always need strength and courage to face the dangers of life in this world. God is well aware of the battle that is raging here on earth. There are spiritual forces of darkness behind some of the troubles we deal with. We must always remember that it is not flesh and blood that is our biggest problem, but these fallen angels called demons who seek to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) They oppose those we seek to help and us in helping them.
But our Lord has given us an illustration in this passage of Scripture to help us see how He has provided everything we need in our daily battle with darkness. The equipment is called here ‘the whole armor of God’ and we are told that this armor enables us to stand firm in each incident. The belt of truth is the foundation of our armor. The truth of God’s Word must hold our armor together and protect our vital organs. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart and midsection. Next come the shoes of readiness given to us through the Good News of peace with God for all who believe. A closer look at these pieces of armor reveals that Jesus Christ provides them all as He is the ‘Truth’, our ‘Righteousness’ and the ‘Good News’ from God the Father.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for providing protection and strength today against the forces of darkness and evil in this world. Help me to draw from my Lord the full armor of God. Let my feet run in readiness with the Good News of Peace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Not peace, but a sword!
Scripture reading for January 13th: Matthew 10:24-42, Psalms 9:11-20, Proverbs 3:3-6
Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” according to Isaiah 9:6! Jesus lived a life of peace but preached a message that sometimes stirred up violent rejection and spiritual warfare. In our reading today, Jesus was preparing His disciples for ministry in the world and the warfare that would result from spiritual conflict with the devil and those in league with him.
“”Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law–a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36) Jesus offers us peace with God through the forgiveness of our sins. In order to obtain this promise, we must repent or turn away from sin (breaking of God’s law) and turn toward God through Jesus Christ. This all comes by faith through God’s grace freely given to those who believe. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
The message of the cross is offensive to the human ego and religion’s rules. Our flesh wants to work for our salvation or do something to earn it. Religion is based on man’s efforts to do enough to appease God. Even the Jews had drifted into a works-oriented religion instead of “by grace through faith”. Jesus wisely taught His disciples about the conflict that would happen between the flesh and the Spirit calling it a “sword”. When we turn to Jesus and begin to move in the Spirit, some resent our new freedom and react in derision or violence.
Disciples must not react, but keep on loving God and following Him. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-38) Our love for God is demonstrated by taking up a cross! This cross represents death to our own desires and the demands of our flesh. Our love for God must take priority over all family relationships. It was demonstrated by Jesus Christ as He took up His cross to completely obey His Father’s will. We counter the “sword” by the “cross”!