Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15)
Out on the football field, players wear shoes with cleats on them to help them move faster, change direction abruptly, and stand their ground when engaged with the opposition. When we read through Paul’s writing about putting on the full armor of God in Ephesian 6:11-18, his main charge to the Christian is to “Stand firm.” He says it three times. You and I are in a battle each day against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and we must put on the full armor of God in order to stand our ground and gain victory.
Now, we do not head off into our day like a football player, who steps out onto the field of competition wearing cleats, but what we do have stand on is faith in the Gospel. We are to walk in the truths of the Gospel everywhere we go; when we do that, we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand our ground. Always remember that we do not fight against flesh and blood, which means we cannot fight in our own natural strength. We must use the spiritual weapons we have received as believers in Jesus.
As you stand your ground in the spiritual battles you face each day, keep these words from the prophet Isaiah in the forefront of your mind: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” (Isaiah 52:7). Not only are we to make sure we are clad in the faithful footwear of the Gospel of peace, we are to take that Gospel into the world and share it with others. What an awesome privilege we have to share the Good News of the Gospel with all those who need God’s forgiveness, redemption, salvation, and His peace that passes all understanding!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 