August 30, 2015 Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
On our recent trip to Holden Beach, North Carolina I pulled out my University of Illinois flip-flops. I had not worn them very much but knew I would need them for the beach. After a few days of the trip from house to beach and back my feet were hurting and getting red on the top where the flip-flops were rubbing. I needed a change in footwear. I bought a pair of slides and was more comfortable the rest of the trip.
Footwear. We may not always give it a lot of thought until the fit or style or performance is not what we expect. In the Epistle for today, Paul is outfitting the Christian from head to toe. Since he does not neglect footwear, neither shall we.
“A BOLD CHOICE IN FOOTWEAR”
Soldiers knew the importance of shoes. Whether it was a forced march or needing to hold the line they needed good footwear. Think of the movies that depict Valley Forge or the Civil War when the boots are literally falling off the soldiers’ feet in the cold and snow.
Shoes – or lack of them – can turn the tide of battle. Scotland’s national flower is the thistle, but do you know why? In order to take the sleeping Scots by surprise, and army of Norse invaders was ordered to remove their shoes so they could approach in silence. What the commanders hadn’t anticipated was that the field they had to cross barefoot was filled with thistles. Instead of a stealth entrance, the Norseman’s cries of pain sounded the alarm that led to their defeat. Scotland has honored the thistle ever since.
Shoes and stance go together. Athletes and soldiers realize this. It makes you prepared. Martial artists know the importance of a proper stance. Footwear makes the difference. The Duke of Wellington thought most of the shoes of his soldiers.
It’s the same for the Christian soldier. It may surprise us that Paul mentions shoes at all. But remember he had ample opportunity to contemplate Roman boots as he traveled to Rome in chains and then lived under house arrest.
How can the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus Christ, serve as footwear for the Christian soldier? Remember the command to the Christian soldier is very simple: “Stand!”. Not “Attack!” or “Retreat!” but simply “Stand!” This whole armor of God he has given to the Christian enables one to stand his or her ground and to withstand the assaults of the enemy.
What soldier can stand firm and steadfast with wounded feet? We must make sure that our feet are not vulnerable. Just as the shield of faith can protect us from the fiery darts of the enemy, so does the Gospel’s promise of forgiveness by Jesus death on the cross protect our stance from the shots of the attacker.
Our Christian footwear needs traction. Christ’s reconciling death banishes worry from our mind. We are not slip sliding along in life with anxiety and turmoil but through Christ we plant our feet firmly. We can meet the attack without trembling. If we get knocked to the ground the helmet, breastplate, sword, and shield can do little but minimize the damage. We must firmly stand on our feet, and it is none other than the Gospel of Jesus’ cross and resurrection that allows us to stand.
All of this then allows Paul and you and I as Christian soldiers to stand with boldness. To speak boldly is to speak freely. It means not holding back. It means not worrying about offending a hearer. This takes courage, which comes from Christ. Like Paul we want to present the gospel fully and naturally. If we are bold there is no “Don’t take this the wrong way.” We do not want to hold back the joy we get when sharing this message of salvation.
Paul had this solid stance – without wavering or stumbling – as he boldly shared the gospel with emperors and political leaders. He was secure in who he was as God’s instrument. He prayed to stay alert and persevere and He did because he was standing securely in the love of Christ.
Our stance is secure because of the mercy, grace, and compassion of our God. In its peace we are ready for the attack – and ready to proclaim. Our feet are protected. So let’s get on our feet and proclaim boldly the same good news to others. No weapon, no strategy, and no insult can shake our stance when we remain fitted in the bold footwear of the Gospel of the Lord.
Amen.