Faith Words: Christmas Socks
One of the sure signs that Christmas is near is when I start wearing my Christmas socks. I have red ones, green ones, reindeer socks, snowman socks, socks with Christmas trees, socks with Christmas lights. I love my Christmas socks! They give me that Christmas spirit right down to my toes.
In scripture, we aren't told what kind of socks to wear but we are told to put on the footwear of the gospel of peace. There are a lot of different kinds of peace. Peace between neighbors, peace between family members, peace between nations, peace between factions, personal peace, world peace. But the kind of peace Paul tells us to wear is the gospel of peace. What is the gospel of peace? I've heard different explanations but here's what makes sense to me.
Where is this instruction to put on the footwear of the gospel of peace? In Chapter 6 of Ephesians. It's listed as part of the full armor of God that we're to wear as we prepare for daily battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
Paul tells us after we've put on the full armor of God that we should do the oddest thing. Rather than fight, he tells us to stand, stand firm. If our part in this battle is to stand firm, then our footwear becomes crucial, doesn't it?
Looking back at Ephesians 2, Paul gives us the answer to what he means by the gospel peace. It's the good news of Jesus Christ. You see, all of us - Jew or Gentile - have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ. Paul says in Ephesians 2:14 and following that Christ "is Himself our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
If we wear the gospel of peace that comes from God's own spiritual armor, we'll be able to stand firmly in the knowledge that nothing formed against us can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Not death, not life, not angels, not demons, not the present nor the future, not any powers, no height, no depth, nor anything else in all creation. (Romans 8:38-39)
What a Christmas gift! What a powerful foundation for our faith! So wear your spiritual footwear with confidence. Stand firm in His power and might. Remember what's holding you up. How's that for giving us the Spirit right down to our toes?
Merry Christmas!
Patrice
Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."
Comments
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or power or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.
..."The righteous will live by faith."
Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.