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Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

Introduction

When the Roman soldier went into battle, he went with the Belt, the Breastplate, and the Boots. The Belt was a wide swath of leather tightly bound around your lower stomach, and though not a part of the armor, it was what all the armor attached to. The Breastplate was a bronze or iron piece that covered your upper torso, protecting your heart, lungs, and bowels from damage by sword, spear, or arrow. The Boots that the soldier wore were called CALIGAE. The sole of the Caliga (single boot) had multiple layers of leather, built up to ¾ to 1 inch thick. Iron studs were driven through the outsole, so that the boot was cleatedfor stability. The inner sole was from a single piece of leather that protected the foot from the studs, and it extended upward into long straps that made a lattice that surrounded the calf of the leg. The Caliga, when laced up, fit snug to the leg and foot, preventing the soldier from forming blisters on long marches. The open lattice of the Caliga meant that water and sand easily drained away from the feet, and gave good ventilation.

One of the earliest defensive weapons employed against soldiers was sharpened sticks, hidden in the grass or in sand. The sticks were poisoned, and if a soldier stepped on them it would drive into the foot, crippling and maybe killing. The Caligae were so thick they could not be penetrated, making the Roman Army nearly invincible.

As the Apostle compares the weaponry that we as Christians are to employ against our enemy the devil, he ties the:

Roman BELT = The Biblical TRUTH
Roman BREASTPLATE = Imputed RIGHTEOUSNESS from Christ
Roman BOOT = PREPARATION of the GOSPEL

The Boot Is The PREPARATION Of The Gospel

Word Study: What does that mean, “THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE”. Let’s break this down. The word translated “PREPARATION” is the Greek hetoimasia (pro. het-oy-mas-ee’-ah) which means “to be prepared or ready for a thing”. The word is only used here in the New Testament, but it is also used in the Septuagint (the early Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) in:

Psalm 10:17 (BES) The Lord has heard the desire of the poor: THINE EAR HAS INCLINED TO THE PREPARATION {hetoimasia} OF THEIR HEART;

When a poor person, a person in need humbles themselves and cries out to God, then God hears their cry and PREPARES or READIES their heart.

This is how the Gospel is heard. The boots or Caligae that the Christian soldier wears is NOT the Gospel. It is the HEART that has been EFFECTED BY THE GOSPEL. A lot of people HEAR the Gospel, but do not humble their hearts to it. Our Lord Jesus said:

Luke 4:18-19 (KJV) The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR {ptōchos, those reduced to begging, the lowly, afflicted}; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

When Jesus spoke of the POOR, He was not talking about those who had no money. He was talking about broken people. Who will hear the Gospel? Those who have all they need, the beautiful people, the well off, the healthy, the mentally stable, they will not hear the Gospel. Though God would rain down the Gospel as “manna from heaven” (John 6:31), they would rather have meat than manna. They would complain over manna, disparage it, mock God for offering it. But to those who are POOR …. and Jesus defined the POOR in Luke 4:

the POOR are BROKENHEARTED
the POOR are IMPRISONED
The POOR are BLIND
The POOR are ENSLAVED to an abusive master

The POOR are at the end of their rope. They have tried all things, but nothing helps. Now the POOR stand before God broken, desperate. Like the song Jamie MacDonald sings:

“Oh God I’m desperate,
Down on my knees,
Send help from Heaven
Cause that’s what I need,
Redeem this wreckage,
Restore my Peace
I’m not asking, I’m begging,
Lord come through for me!
Lord I’m desperate!

These are not Gospel boots. These are the RESULT of the Gospel of Peace, the FRUIT of salvation. Only the REAL Gospel will make the REAL Caligae.

The False Boots Of The False Gospel

As I discuss this, I will look to the Book of Galatians. Turn there, if you will.

The devil has been trying to sell the Church and the world a false gospel since the beginning of time. The false gospel crept into the early Church, and creeps into the Church even today. When Paul wrote to the Church at Galatia, he described the Gospel in three verses:

Galatians 1:3-5 (NKJV) Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord JESUS CHRIST WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS, that He might DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE, ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR GOD and Father, 5 TO WHOM BE GLORY forever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel is given by GRACE. “By GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH – and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Gospel is a gift that God gives to the broken. It is “JESUS CHRIST WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS”. The work is entirely of God. We neither earn it, nor deserve it. We receive it when we SURRENDER our BROKEN LIVES to God, and turn ourselves over to the “LORD Jesus Christ”. Paul tells us “If BY GRACE, then it is NO LONGER WORKS, otherwise GRACE IS NO LONGER GRACE” (Romans 11:6). You do not WORK to be saved. You SURRENDER to be saved. You REPENT of being your own god or goddess, and commit your way unto your Creator, Your Savior and Lord.

Jesus GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS so that we could be at peace with God. Jesus “GAVE HIMSELF” that He might “DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE”. Once saved, we are NOT part of the darkness. Jesus “SAVES HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS” (Matthew 1:21).

Those who are saved do not WORK to be saved. But once saved, we WORK for God, not for evil. We are to WALK in GOOD WORKS (Ephesians 2:10). Attached to Jesus our Vine, we bear fruit that honors Him. (John 15:5)

Those who are saved by the Gospel live our lives after salvation “ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF OUR GOD and Father”. We “WALK HUMBLY with our GOD” (Micah 6:8). We walk where He sends us, trusting in Him. We do not walk according to our desires, but do as God says:

Romans 8:1, 4-5 (NKJV) [There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who DO NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, but ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT. … 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who DO NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [who live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

The modern Church has taught a false Gospel, an ineffective Gospel, a Gospel that does not call for REPENTANCE and surrender. The modern Church – much like ancient Gnosticism – has taught that salvation is no more than a punched ticket to Heaven. Or, in the case of those Churches that follow the way of Galatia, they make salvation to be what Christ did PLUS a sacrament that I must fulfill. This is what had afflicted the Church at Galatia. They were told by the Pharisees among them,

“Salvation is belief in Jesus PLUS circumcision”

What did the Apostle say about these teachings? He said,

Galatians 1:6-9 (NKJV) I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, TO A DIFFERENT GOSPEL 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, LET HIM BE ACCURSED. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

Word Study: The word rendered “ACCURSED” is the Greek anathema, which means “to be bound under a strong curse”. Those who hear and receive the false gospel are bound under a strong curse. They believe that THEY are good enough to get themselves to Heaven, and that JESUS NEEDS THEIR HELP.

When you receive a false gospel, a feel good or prosperity gospel, a gospel that does not recognize REPENTANCE and REGENERATION (new birth), then you have a gospel that makes poor and defective Caligae.

Several times in our context of Ephesians 6, the Apostle mentions STANDING:

Ephesians 6:11 (KJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:13 (KJV) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND.

Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) STAND therefore …

The false gospel tells you that it is Jesus + YOU that saves you. So, what happens when you stumble? Then you begin to think, “Well, I’ve lost my salvation! I’m no good. I failed God!” Suddenly you have no shoes. The fake shoes you had on could not protect you. Beloved, you cannot do battle with the devil and his forces while you are worrying about your salvation.

The True Gospel Is A God Gospel

The true Gospel will PREPARE the heart. The Apostle Paul used to persecute Christians. But under the Gospel, Saul changed to Paul, and he now PROMOTES the Gospel. He says:

Galatians 1:11-16 (NKJV) But I make known to you, brethren, that THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED BY ME IS NOT ACCORDING TO MAN 12 For I NEITHER RECEIVED IT FROM MAN, NOR WAS I TAUGHT IT, but [it came] through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and [tried to] destroy it. … 15 But when it pleased God, WHO SEPARATED ME FROM MY MOTHER’S WOMB, AND CALLED ME THROUGH HIS GRACE 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

When he was known as “Saul”, the Apostle persecuted the Church. If he did not kill Christians, he was instrumental in leading them to death an imprisonment. Paul was absolutely unworthy to be an Apostle. But God chose him. Jesus called him. Saul believed the Gospel, repented, and became Paul through the Grace of God.

The true Gospel changes a person. Before he was saved, Saul thought that he was doing good when he persecuted Christians. But what he thought was right, was wrong. He was at war with God, and didn’t even realize it. He was sincere, but sincerely deluded. The Bible says:

Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Ephesians 2:13–19 (ESV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been BROUGHT NEAR BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. 14 For HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might RECONCILE IS BOTH TO GOD IN ONE BODY THROUGH THE CROSS, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE to you who were far off and PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are NO LONGER STRANGERS AND ALIENS, but you are FELLOW CITIZENS with the saints and members of the household of God,

The true Gospel is a God Gospel. It is initiated by God, offered to an unbelieving and worthless person. It is freely given – but it demands your life. The true Gospel is a SURE Gospel, because it changes the recipient. We read:

1 John 5:13 (ESV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that YOU MAY KNOW YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

John 1:12 (ESV) But to all who did RECEIVE HIM, who BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, He gave THE RIGHT TO BECOME THE CHILDREN OF GOD

The boots that the Gospel makes cling to you. They make you sure footed. They are not based on man made precepts, but on what God – Who cannot lie – has promised. The enemy knows that the quickest way to defeat us is to strike at the feet. To get us to wear fake boots, boots that look nice but do not protect the feet. Silly Christian! You cannot save yourself, and you cannot keep yourself saved. Who gets the glory? God. God the Father. God the Son. God the Holy Spirit. God, not us.

Galatians 3:13-14 (NKJV) Christ HAS REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, having BECOME A CURSE FOR US (for it is written, “Cursed [is] everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH.

Once we receive the Grace of God by faith, God sends His Holy Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out. He indwells us permanently. He guides us into all truth. He manifests the Presence of God in our lives. Pastor C.H. Spurgeon wrote:

“When we know that, as the Lord looks on us, His glance is full of infinite, undivided affection, that He sees us in Jesus Christ as cleansed from every speck of sin, and as “accepted in the beloved,” that by virtue of a complete atonement we are forever reconciled to God, then do we march through life without fear, booted and buskined for all the exigencies of the way, yea, ready to plunge through fire and water, thorn and thistle, bush and briar, without fear. A man at peace with God dreads neither the ills of life nor the terrors of death. Poverty, sickness, persecution, and pain have lost their sting when sin is pardoned. What is there that a man needs to fear when he knows that in no affliction will there be any trace of the judicial anger of God, but all will come from a Father’s hand and work his lasting good.”

People desperately need the Gospel! Not the man made Gospel, but the Gospel of Christ.

Do You Know The Gospel?

Ephesians 6:15 And your FEET shod with THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

Pastor Sandy Willson wrote in the book “Christ Has Set Us Free” about guilt. I wanted to read this to you, because I thought it was so good.

“I was preaching about a hundred miles from my home, and after my message a young lady, ‘Betsy’, came to me and said, ‘My aunt lives in your town. Her name is Mary Jones. Do you know her?’ She wanted the Pastor to call her when he got home, and tell her that Betsy was thinking about her. So when the got home he called Mary.

‘Mary, this is Sandy Willson’. ‘Sandy Willson? You’re calling about the pine cones aren’t you?’ ‘Pine cones?’ he asked. ‘Oh, you’re not calling about the pine cones – now I’m really embarrassed. You see, Reverend Willson, just last week I was rushing home to a luncheon I was hosting, and I desperately needed some pine cones for my centerpiece. As I drove in front of your Church, I noticed good pine cones in your front yard. I feel terrible about it, and I was afraid you saw me through your windows as I sneaked into your church yard to take them. I’m so embarrassed!’ I interupted her to say, ‘Mary, your niece Betsy wanted me to call and say hello. And you can take pine cones from our church yard any time you want’”.

People desperately need Jesus. Guilt drives us, gives us anxiety, and causes mental break downs. Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger (1893-1990) stated:

“If I could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75% of them could walk out the next day.”

The Gospel that God gives us is the Gospel of PEACE. Not of worry, but of PEACE. When you give your life to Jesus Christ, and He saves you, the boots or Caligae you put on is the assurance that God is your Father, and that He is watching over you. As you walk from place to place, while snug in these Caligae, you naturally have peace with God and peace with others and peace with yourself. When someone believes that they “must do penance”, this is a rock in the shoe. Penance does nothing. What you need to do is REPENTANCE. Turn your sins, turn your failures over to Jesus.

The Caligae are laced tight to the legs. The lace on the Gospel Caligae is the Blood of Christ. Not your works, but His.

God is righteous, perfect, without flaw. “Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His Throne” (Psalm 97:2). God commands that we be righteous (Deuteronomy 6:24-25) – but “There is no one righteous. No one. By my works following the Law, I cannot be righteous. The Law teaches me that I am unable – I need the Savior” (Romans 3:10, 20). So how shall I be righteous?

I must come to Jesus Christ surrendered.
I must ask Him to impute righteousness to me.

Romans 3:21-26 (LSB) But now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even [the] RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that HE WOULD BE THE JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER OF THE ONE WHO HAS FAITH IN JESUS.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (LSB) He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Other religions teach that you get close to their god by doing this work or that work. Christianity states that when you give yourself to God through Jesus, that God Himself takes you on as a son, as a heir, and as an ongoing project.

My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus’ Blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus Name!

Once saved by the Grace of God, we walk with God in the Caligae He gave us. If our boots become unlaced, we confess our sin, and return to Him to tighten the laces through His loving forgiveness. Praise Him for the peace of God that passes all understanding!