Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)
My friend, mentor, and brother in Christ, Matt Aloisio, is a NCAA Division 1 College Football Replay Booth Communicator for the Big Ten Conference. After decades of experience, he understands the game of football at the deepest level. He would tell you, out on the football field, the players wear shoes with cleats on them to help them move faster, turn quicker, and stand their ground when engaged with the opposition. Shifting from the football field to our faith, Matt would agree with me that when we read through Paul’s writing on the armor of God, his main charge to the Christian is to “Stand Firm” . . . and he says it three times. Because we are in a battle each day against the world, the flesh, and the devil, we need to have the whole armor of God on to be able to get victory and to stand our ground.
Now we do not head off into our day like the football player out on the field of competition with cleats on, but what we do have on our feet is faith in the gospel. We are to walk in the truths of the gospel everywhere we go and when we do, we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand our ground. We must 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 been given as believers in Jesus.
Remember, as you stand your ground in the spiritual battles you face each day, never forget these words of the prophet Isaiah, “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 have the faithful footwear of the gospel of peace on our feet, 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 the peace that passes all understanding.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 