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Walk in Peace – by Pastor Chandler

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“…And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15 ESV).

Interstate Park is beautiful. We are so fortunate to have such a magnificent place so close by to hike, swim, and gaze upon God’s beautiful creation. The great bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River are shouting out the glories of our wonderful Creator. The cavern-like potholes dug deep into the stones are formations calling us to remember God’s awesome power. The river that rushes under the Highway 8 Bridge to suddenly still into a gently flowing river is pouring out praise day and night to God. He is the One who carved the waters’ path deep into the stones.

THE WRONG SHOES

Recently, Kimmi (my wife), Kimmi’s father, Don, and I took a deer-beaten path down to the water’s edge on the north side of the bridge in Interstate Park. We stood on giant rock formations that pierced out of the tree line like a jagged knife cutting through the forest and carving into the side of the river. To our right we could see the dam holding back a gigantic mass of water and to our left the waters picked up abundant speed tumbling through a narrow path, a door between the giant cliffs on the left and right. The skies afforded us a view, unhindered by clouds, of its rich blue. It was a perfect day and a perfect view.

The only issue, one that I had not considered, was that I was wearing open-toed sandals. Flip-flops really. Standing there, on those rocks, I decided that I wanted to move up the rock formation to see if I could earn a better view of the dam. Steps later, I clumsily tripped over a jagged part of the rock and my foot slammed into the stone. I thought, “That hurt,” and looked down to assess the situation. The rock had won the fight with my foot. Its trophy was a chunk of my big toe. Blood had started to collect on my sandal and pain began to shoot up my leg.

Unfortunately, we were some distance from the campsite and, obviously, without any medical supplies. From that stunning place alongside the river I slowly stumbled through woods, limped over blacktop, and hobbled through fields of grass back to the campsite were I could bandage my foot. All the way to the campsite I found myself grumbling, “If only I had my tennis shoes on. Why did I wear flip-flops?” I was not prepared to scale the jagged rocks or walk on the forest trails. I had the wrong shoes on my feet!

THE RIGHT SHOES

Within the list of armor that Paul elaborates on in Ephesians 6, we find shoes. In order to be prepared for battle the Roman soldier needed the right shoes. He didn’t go into the fight wearing slippers. He had shoes that were equipped with spikes on the sole. With these spikes he was ready to stand firm on rocky ground, press back against an enemy with his shield, and stand next to his fellow soldier in a shield wall. The shoes gave the Roman soldier an edge in the fight. They prepared him for the task at hand. They made him ready.

For us, the believers, to be ready as Paul puts it in Ephesians 6 we need the right shoes. To be ready to proclaim the gospel we need the right shoes. To be ready to stand during trials or persecution we need the right shoes. To be ready to face the world, the lies of the enemy, the plagues of sickness, and the atmosphere of doubt that swirls around us in this present culture we need to have the right sneakers.

WALKING IN PEACE

What are our shoes? Paul says that they are the shoes of peace. Specifically, our shoes are the peace that comes from the gospel. Gospel peace is assurance of a future hope. Gospel peace is confidence that Christ has won us at the cross. Gospel peace is faith in Jesus Christ over doubt. The peace of the gospel is joy instead of anxiety. This peace is given to those who turn to Jesus Christ dying to self and who have come alive in Christ.

– Gospel peace is confidence that Christ has won us at the cross. –

If we’re going to enter the dark forest of the world where doubt, fear, and uncertainty linger with the message of Jesus Christ we need to be ready with His peace. If we are going to step out onto the jagged stones of this fallen world proclaiming freedom from sin we need the peace that Jesus offers. If that peace is not in us we will be susceptible to fear, doubt, sin, pride, evil, lies, and the list could go on. If we are not confidently at peace in Christ then we will seek to find the assurance of peace our souls long for somewhere else.

Don’t be like me and wear the wrong shoes into the battle. You’ll retreat with open wounds. I know.  Take it from me, if your foot gets damaged it’s almost impossible to walk! Don’t wear self-assurance to battle. Wear Christ-assurance. Don’t wear human wisdom to battle. Wear the Truth Himself, Jesus Christ. Don’t wear a wavering hope in the world into the battle against sin. Wear the absolute peace that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s only in those shoes that we will remain standing. It’s only in Christ.

In Christ’s peace,

Chandler

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