Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; Eph.6:14,15
A lot of seminars, youth conferences, even kid's figurines made by Christian companies trying to make a buck have dealt with the armor of God. I've always thought that they were making a whole lot of adieux about what was meant to be just an added and word picture emphasis to the previous passage about our battle is with the devil so be ready. As I look again at it, maybe there is more to it than that.
First of all, we see that if you don't interact with people, if you don't put shoes on and go, you probably won't get attacked a lot. A spectator at a football game doesn't need equipment on. If you only hang out with Christians and don't interact with the world you are not in the game and the devil doesn't need to waste his time on you. If, however, you are interacting with unbelievers at work, on social media, in relationships, you need to put on some armor. Did you see that when you step out with those shoes the reason is to share the gospel. Do your coworkers and friends know you are a Christian. I'm always amazed by going to someone's Facebook profile (yes stalking them) who is supposed to be a Christian and finding nothing that would give me a hint that they are a believer. Are we building bridges in relationships keeping in mind our goal is to win them to Christ, or are we just playing undercover Christian in order to fit in?
Secondly did you see that it is called the gospel of peace? At first I thought, well that means we don't need to rile people up but share in such a way that it's peaceful. That's not entirely true. Jesus said He came to bring division and a sword that cuts through even families. Currently I've shared with a lot of people in Memphis at the University Medical Center, but it's frankly been in a way that is peaceful and maybe not effective? It's like, "Here is what I believe", and comes across maybe as you do you and I'll do me and non-confrontational. It's not coming across as mine is true and yours is a lie which would definitely not bring peace. I'm not sure it is even making them question their beliefs. I'm praying that God would guide me through this. Maybe the "gospel of peace" means recognizing that no unbelievers are truly at peace but have restless souls as they struggle with meaning, purpose, mortality, anxiety, worth, insecurity, failure and all other issues that a relationship with Jesus would cure. Is it possible that we need to share the gospel as my Church would say "helping people find Christ at their point of need" which for everyone is the lack of peace. Maybe lead out, "Do you have peace in your life?" I don't know - maybe try it.
Third, it's important to be righteous. We live in a time where so much garbage is coming out about Christians in the public eye. It's like when Jesus said, "You are the salt of the Earth. If the salt loses its saltiness, it's good for nothing but being trampled on as it's spread on the road." If you have obvious sins in your life, sharing the gospel may actually hurt the cause. Live a life that doesn't negate the gospel. Live a life where people see a difference and that it does make an effect, at least on you.
Lastly, as I alluded to earlier, don't apologize - you have the truth. Be assured of that, know the truth, and share it as truth. Be prepared to share why it's true when people question it. Read some apologetics. Can you answer, "Why should I believe the Bible is true?", With all the religions in the world, why do you think yours is true?" We have the truth, lets put those gospel shoes on and get out there and live it and share it as something that will bring peace to a troubled soul.
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