The Gospel of Peace; a Weapon of Warfare
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; – Ephesians 6:14-15
By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel
Just as no soldier is fully knitted and ready for battle without shoes, the same way no believer is properly dressed for spiritual battle without the shoes of the gospel of peace. This peace is in three dimensions:
- Peace with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Peace with one another made possible by the working of God in us through Jesus Christ.
- Peace within, granted by God through His Spirit in us as we walk in faith in Christ Jesus.
According to Roman 5:1, the finished work of Jesus’ death did not only bring us forgiveness of sins but eternal peace. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is important that you walk in the knowledge that you have this peace so that the devil does not sow seeds of doubts in your heart. Doubts will make you unstable in your walk with God or believing His word concerning you. God remains constant; He doesn’t change but if we are not careful doubt can deprive us from enjoying the benefits of the price Jesus paid for our sins. There can never be peace where there is doubt.
Hebrews 12:14, encourages us to do all we can to live in peace with everyone. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” As believers we need to show the world a better way to live. When people expect you to react like men, shock them by responding like God. Show them a more excellent way; a way they’re not used to. The way of peace. When you approach people and situations from a peaceful position regardless of what they do, your peaceful response can make them reconsider their ways and desire change. Conquer evil by doing good. If you repay evil with evil, you have received your reward already. Walking at peace is a way to use God’s weapon. Never pass off the opportunity to do good, even to those who mistreat you.
Humanly speaking, it is impossible to do all these. That’s why Christianity is not just about dos and don’ts. It is about the life lived by the power of Christ; a supernatural life. God has furnished us with His Spirit; all that is required to help us do what is required of us believers. Living by the directives of God brings peace. Guard against anger and unforgiveness, it gives a foothold to the devil to steal your peace. If you don’t forgive, the devil will use it to torment you. For peace to reign, allow yourself to be defrauded rather than have strife with your brother. Peace is a weapon that we can use to block the devil from sowing discord to divide, rule and eventually set up his camp and destroy !!
Peace within is something God has given to us which no man can give us. Remember Daniel in the lion’s den? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the burning furnace? Peter who was to be killed the following day? They were all at peace when they should have been scared to death. The peace they had was beyond human understanding. Let God’s peace offered to you at Calvary guard your heart. God keeps us in perfect peace when our mind is stayed on Him and not our challenges.
Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.
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