Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, at the time that Paul wrote these words, the "gospel of peace" had not yet been set down in the formal, written manner that we have it now. It was a verbal account that was substantiated and grounded on the part of those who preached and proclaimed it by reference to prophecies from what we today would call the Old Testament, which the events that occurred in connection with Jesus' life fulfilled (as noted subsequently in the written gospels), and which Paul had in mind when he spoke of "the word of God".

Paul characterized the gospel message as the gospel of peace, because it proclaimed the reconciliation of humanity to God that had been made possible through Christ's life, death, and resurrection. To me, Paul compared this message to shoes in reference to passages such as Isaiah 52:7, because those who preached the message were bringing good news or glad tidings of salvation to those who heard it.

The Old Testament prophecies were likened to a sword of truth because they were proven to be accurate and fulfilled in the life of Christ, and thus, in the way that a sword cuts apart, could be used to separate or distinguish Christ from false teachers who made messianic claims about themselves, but who did not fulfill those same prophecies. (The word of God was likened to a sword in other Scripture passages as well, such as Hebrews 4:12.) 

(The New International Version translation of the Bible refers to the "sword of truth" as the "sword of the Spirit", which additionally conveys the role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring the prophecies of the Old Testament, and as the source of the gifts and signs possessed and performed by those who preached the gospel.)

December 06 2016 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jay Saunders

Eph. 6:10-18 Put on the whole armour of God includes shoding your feet with the gospel of peace. 

This refers to the peace that we must walk in towards all people, sinners or saints a like. The two groups: sinners without the peace of God or salvation, and the saints those with the peace of God because through salvation Jesus has made peace with our heavenly Father- Jesus having become our propitiation for our sins, past, present and future.

John 14:27 Refers to the peace given to us from our Lord and God Jesus Christ. He said "My peace I leave with you. My peace I give it unto you." Not as the world gives, but internal and eternal peace with God.

Jesus satisfied, or bore our punishment for all our sins, for those that believe. The key word is 'propitiation.' Propitiation means he continually washes or atones for our sins once and for all on that cross at Calvery. 1John 2:2

God's word clearly states that if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us of all unrighteousness. But that is never to be interpreted as a license to sin. 1 John 1:9

Sin always has consequences, and sin always effects those in our sphere of influence. Jesus clearly stated if you truely love him, then you will truly obey Him. Start living a life that is full of obediance, not rebellion. [Obediance John 14:15 Rebellion 1Samuel 15:23]

The word clearly states rebellion is 'as the sin of witchcraft.' Sin practiced has its fleshly pleasure for a season, but always has a bad consequence now or in the here after. Hebrews 11:25 says it is so. No sin is a secret to our God, nor even to man eventually. 

Ultimately, peace is proven to be present by trust being manifested in your life. A trial comes you pray for help, wisdom and knowledge. And you handle the situation within the guide lines of good moral behavior.
Those standards are in God's word, and they supersedes man's standards - but much of man's or societies rules are in agreement with God's. 

Of coarse all societies have some standards that conflict with God's, and we don't ever have to obey them if our pure religious conviction prods us to do so.

A good Christian strives always to do the right things but sometimes impulsive behaviors not governed by good judgment can fail us. The word of God tells us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. That rule followed ends most strife in life before it begins. James 1:19

If you have a wife, husband or work with a lot of people in a work place environment. This rule will serve you well. People need to vent, people need to confide, and people need someone to listen, care and give Godly advise. This does not include spreading gossip and gossiping. Proverbs 16:28

Trusting in the counsel of God = Peace

December 16 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Julian Naicken

To understand the difference between shoes of the gospel of peace and sword of the Spirit which is the word of God it is also important to understand what these meant to Paul who used the the example of the Roman soldier to describe the believers armor. 

The Roman soldier walked on rough, rocky, wet, hot and thorny ground. It was his leather shoes that gave him protection from damaged feet and also because they were embedded with metal it gave him stability and traction. If his feet were hurt or if he did not this stability and traction then he would be soon flat on the ground and could be easily defeated. 

We can be firm, stable and confident against the attacks against the enemy because we are at peace with God and He is on our side. 

The sword of the Spirit is the only piece of the armor that can be used as a weapon. The Roman soldier used his sword to both attack and defend himself. The Christian soldier uses the Word of God both to attack and defend himself against the attacks of Satan. Jesus used the Word to overcome the attacks of the enemy in Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11. 

Believers are told to put on the whole armor as neglecting to this gives the enemy a weakness to exploit.

December 30 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report