Ephesians 6:14-15

Ephesians 6:14-15

Therefore stand: after girding your loins in truth, after putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and after binding your feet in readiness of the Gospel of peace …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We ended the section yesterday with Paul’s exhortation to stand firm in the face of an evil day.  The first part of the verses in this section is a repeat of the command: “Stand!” But in order to stand firm there is a process of equipping.  The first part of equipment that Paul talks about is the belt.  In Paul’s day, the belt held together everything the soldier needed.  The belt held his weapon.  The belt held his armor close to him.  The belt supported the weight of any armor over his legs and thighs.  In fact, even in modern police we see that the belt is central to what they do.  The belt holds up their uniform while also holding all of their weapons and tools.  The belt is what keeps a soldier together.  And what does Paul compare this belt to in the Christian?  The belt is truth.  It is truth that keeps everything together for us.  Satan and the world will come at us with lies.  But the truth sets us free of Satan and his empty promises.

What does it say about truth that Paul begins with it when telling us how to stand?  Do you agree that it is truth that holds everything together?

Second Thought:

The next thing that Paul speaks about is the breastplate.  The breastplate protected the main organs of the body in the torso.  The breastplate protects the vital parts needed for living.  To what does Paul compare this in the Christian?  Righteousness.  When a person lives a life of righteousness, they are protected.  It is difficult to bring charges or accusations or threats against someone who is genuinely living a life of righteousness.  Righteousness is one of the best defenses that we could ever hope to employ.

Do you live a life of righteousness?  Where is your defense secure?  Where is your defense weak?

Third Thought:

Third, Paul speaks about the preparation that comes from the Gospel of peace.  This preparation is two-fold.  In Christ, we know that we can have peace with God.  This should make us ready to do His work because we know that nothing can separate us from His love.  The second part of this is that we know that we are called to bring peace with God to a world that does not have it.  In order to stand, we must prepare ourselves in the peace of God to go out into a world that needs to hear about such peace but may not yet be ready to accept it.  It is this element of “going out” that makes Paul’s connection of peace and the sandals make sense.

Do you feel the peace of God?  How can that peace help you feel ready to do His will?  How can you share that peace with others?  To whom can you share that peace?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 6:16-18a