Imagine trying to win a marathon race wearing snow shoes! Or, dancing in a ballet wearing combat boots! As small an item as footwear may seem compared to helmets, swords and breastplates, having the right shoes when you're in battle, can mean the difference between life and death.
In the days of the apostle Paul, Roman soldiers wore very specific shoes. They were called "caliga" and, while they look like sandals, they were a military boot with an open upper which laced from the ankle up to the calf.
The footwear of the Roman soldier was usually made from either cow or ox leather that had undergone a two-year tanning process with three layers: an insole, an outer sole and an upper.
Another distinction about these shoes were the hobnails, which were driven in from the bottom, outer sole. These hobnails gave the shoe not only durability but, more importantly, gave the soldier stability as the hobnails would grip the ground just like cleats do for the modern athlete. A soldier that couldn't stay on his feet was at the mercy of his enemy.
And so, God equips the believer on the battlefront with shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace. The idea behind the word "preparation" is better translated "preparedness." Preparation indicates a process of getting a thing ready, whereas preparedness indicates that the preparation has already been completed and one is now ready. We are not to start getting prepared with these shoes but, the soldier is standing already prepared.
The gospel becomes the source of preparedness. We cannot have a readiness to stand without experiencing the transforming power of the gospel in our lives. It is the source of preparedness.
Lastly, peace is the benefit brought by the gospel. It is the gospel of peace with which a believer can have shod their feet in readiness. Peter, when walking out on the water toward Jesus did just fine in the midst of a howling storm while his focus was on Jesus. But when his attention was averted to the sound of the wind and the roughness of the seas, he began to sink. In essence, Peter lost his footing and began to slip into the sea. The transforming work the gospel brings to our lives can give us the stability to stand firm no matter how severe the attacks may be from Satan.
The gospel brings peace and if it's peace brings preparedness, then the way to get the preparedness is by soaking our minds and hearts in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Bible makes it clear that believers are involved in an invisible, spiritual battle. This blog, which is a reflection on our Sunday morning sermon-series, attempts to ponder our role in the battle.
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