Tuesday: Shoes ~ The Church Wages Peace
A Roman soldier, preparing for battle, would tie on a pair of sturdy, military sandals. A multilayered sole featured rugged hobnails, helping the soldier hold his ground and “stand” (Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:13-14). Paul explains this military footwear with language from Isaiah 52:7, which celebrates the moment when a messenger brings the news that Yahweh’s battle on behalf of His people is won (Isaiah 52:8-10) and peace now reigns: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace” (Isaiah 52:7, ESV).
Review the eight times Paul highlights peace in Ephesians. Why does he use a detailed military metaphor when he is so interested in peace? Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 2:14-15, Ephesians 2:17; Ephesians 4:3; Ephesians 6:15, Ephesians 6:23.
Image © Steve Creitz at Goodsalt.com
Paul celebrates peace as the work of Christ, “our peace,” the One who preaches peace “to you who were far off and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:14-17, ESV), drawing Jew and Gentile together into “one new humanity” (Ephesians 2:15, NIV). By keeping alive the gospel story of Christ’s rescue and His creative work of peace, by celebrating His victory past and looking toward the victory shout in the future, believers shod their feet and stand ready for battle. Like the messenger in Isaiah 52:7, believers are messengers proclaiming the victory of Christ and His peace.
Paul, however, does not wish us to understand his call to arms as a call to take up military weapons against our enemies. That’s why he describes believers as proclaiming “the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Nor does he wish believers to be combative in their relationships with others, since he has been emphasizing unity, edifying speech, and tenderheartedness (see especially Ephesians 4:25-5:2). The church is to “wage peace” by employing the gospel arsenal of Christian virtues (humility, patience, forgiveness, etc.) and practices (prayer, worship). Such acts are strategic, pointing toward God’s grand plan to unify all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10).
| How does the following text help us understand what Paul’s military imagery should mean in our lives as believers? “God calls upon us to put on the armor. We do not want Saul’s armor, but the whole armor of God. Then we can go forth to the work with hearts full of Christ-like tenderness, compassion, and love.” — Ellen G. White, [Australasian] Union Conference Record, July 28, 1899. |
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My Dad told me that when he was conscripted into the army the sergeant in charge of them marched them over to stores where they were to be outfitted with their uniform. His main instruction to them was to make sure that their boots fitted well. "If they don't b... fit take the b... boots back and get ones that do! You don't want to be at war with your boots on the thirty-mile route march!"
I remembered that advice when my son went to Edinburgh University for a year of doctoral study in mathematics. Being a mathematician he did not care to much about clothes. I spent half a day with him trying on different shoes. I told him not to look at the price, just keep trying them on until he found a really comfortable pair. He found a pair of Rockports that were perfect. They cost me over $300 and he was aghast, but I told him his grandfather's story about how important it was to be at peace with his feet. I didn't want to be paying medical bills for him in Scotland.
And, perhaps the intent of this verse is that we are at peace with the Gospel ourselves so that we can share the good news with others. The implication is that we have done the preparation work; that we know what it is that we are on about; that we have developed the sort of relationship with Jesus that is like a pair of well-fitting boots.
Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matt 5:9
Those who walk in the boots of peace are able to share that peace with others.
Constancy. Routine. Repetition. Detail. Collectiveness. What other attributes can we name for army-kind imagery?
Regarding our practical religion and devotion to the Love that saves us from ourselves, some army practices can be generously applied to the relationship keen to our soul! Have you said I love you today? To God, anyone in your family, the person closest to you, even your pet? And be thankful for the existence of this Love, not war, as the perfect peacemaker ever?
As I see it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about establishing peace through/by heaven’s inspired design of 'peace through life-giving Love' – Eph.6:15. Yes, Jesus who came to preach peace is Himself our peace. And ‘yes’ again, “believers are messengers proclaiming the victory of Christ and His peace through/by their lives".
As we wear the full armor of God, we release its tremendous power vested in the several aspects of this armor. Wearing it brings about humility, patience, forgiveness, etc., as the writer noted. It is the armor which, when worn, will release the power of God's Way of Love unto life as He "unifies all things in Christ" – Eph.1:9-10. Ellen White’s quote speaks to this truth.