Posted on 09/17/2023 4:24:31 AM PDT by metmom
"Stand firm . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:14-15). Standing firm while in the conflict requires the right kind of spiritual footwear.
I'll never forget a game that took place at the Rose Bowl during my college football days. Being winter time and late in the football season, the field was in bad shape from several days of rain and an entire season of wear and tear. However, the grounds crew painted the field green, so it looked much better than it actually was. I had two pairs of football shoes: one with long spikes for bad turf and one with short spikes for good turf. Thinking the field looked pretty good, I opted to wear the short spikes.
On the opening kick-off I caught the ball on the four- yard line, took two steps, and immediately landed on my backside. That's not unusual after a tackle, but in this case there wasn't an opponent in sight! I slipped in the mud—my shoes betrayed me.
Since proper shoes are important in athletics, how much more so are they when fighting for your life. Roman soldiers took great care in selecting just the right shoe. Typically they wore a thick-soled semi-boot with straps securing it to the leg. On the bottom of the soles were hobnails that protruded like the cleats of a track or baseball shoe. The thick soles protected the feet from injury; the hobnails provided traction when maneuvering on the soil.
The Christian's spiritual footwear is the "gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15). Romans 5:1 says, "Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." God has reconciled you to Himself through the death of His Son (v. 10). Once you were His enemy; now you are His child. Once He opposed you; now He is on your side.
No matter how difficult your circumstances may be or how many opponents come against you, realize that the invincible God of the universe is on your side. He makes war against His enemies (Rev. 2:16), and against Him no one can stand. So stand firm in that confidence. Focus on your Great Ally rather than your feeble enemies.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for His peace, presence, and protection in your life.
For Further Study
Read Judges 7. How did Gideon demonstrate his confidence that God was on his side?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
At the end he decides against going back to Brazil, as that would necessitate joining the Roman Catholic church, which he will not do (sola scriptura).
I once gave a similar talk. Real men don’t wear flip flops. Improper footwear prevents men from being men when necessary. You can’t run into a burning building to save lives wearing flip-flops. Scripture says “act like men.”
I attend Orthodox church and can assure you that the proper footwear is very important!
dress code?
No, we stand during services! :)
Apparently guys wearing flip flops with a pair of jeans is almost as bad as socks with sandals, from a fashion perspective.
May one wear white socks with sandals after Labor Day? Black socks just don’t seem to go with my plaid Bermuda shorts.
You can wear what you want! The only ones who might object are women and homosexuals.
They look stupid and sissyish. Plus they render a man useless
The WHOLE time??
Yes. You get used to it! :)
Not me; unless you have about 5 minute services!
He makes war against His enemies (Rev. 2:16), and against Him no one can stand. So stand firm in that confidence.
........................................
That’s why I’m on HIS side! Amen!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.