Devotional For Men

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Ephesians 6:15, NLT

One of the terms that have become popular in the 21st century to describe the deployment of military forces is "boots on the ground." The phrase refers to ground troops. In Paul's day, while naval engagement was becoming a significant aspect of warfare, battles were primarily carried out by foot soldiers. The soldier on guard duty over Paul in prison as he wrote probably served in an elite unit of Roman infantry. His uniform and weapons provided the apostle with a handy illustration for the equipment God provides his people in the face of spiritual warfare. After the belt and body armor, a soldier put on his shoes. Roman soldiers didn't wear boots, but their sandals had some specialized features like lugs on the soles that made them stand up under foot travel and gripped the ground in combat. Paul doesn't describe the type of footwear; he tells us to wear peace. The footprints believers leave on the world should be impressions of peace. There's no shortage of peace-talk today. But what people mean by "peace" and how they propose to obtain it varies considerably. Looking at this passage we ask, "Is peace the Good News or is peace the result/by-product of the Good News?" The NLT makes the intent clear by the phrase "the peace that comes from the Good News." The world will point to many sources or ways of peace. Believers in Jesus Christ point to him. He said, "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27). Whatever the world offers will not be Christ's peace. The gift of peace in us ought to be as plain as the shoes we wear. We don't proclaim peace; we proclaim Christ, the one who is Prince of Peace, the source of peace. We can't deliver peace, but Christ can.