Victory Action #5 Live in the Gospel of Peace

The Apostle Paul’s Strategy to Winning Life’s Battles

Victory Action #5 Live In The Gospel of Peace

Ephesians 6:15

 

Ephesians 6:15.

“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

 

Introduction

            Welcome back to our study called, “The Apostle Paul’s Strategy to Winning Life’s Battles.”  There are times in life when we face severe temptations and even when life’s problems seem to knock us down.  Bad things do happen to good people.  The question then becomes, “how are we to respond?”  Paul’s primary directive is found in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” 

            Thankfully, he teaches us how to be strong in the Lord.  He instructed us with Victory Action #1 Put on the Armor of God, Victory Action #2 Stand Firm, Victory Action #3 Live in Truth, and Victory Action #4 Live in Righteousness.  Today, we will consider Victory Action #5 Live in The Gospel of Peace.

            Our enemy, the devil, wants you to be bound by fear, to be victimized by your past, and to lose all hope for the future.  He wants you to focus intently on your insurmountable problems and feel defeated even before you consider finding help.  But, it is in the middle of the most violent storm that life can throw at you that you can reject these feeling and respond instead with …peace.  The secret to finding peace in the most difficult seasons of life is to focus solely on Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the Answer.   He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Let us consider today’s verse closely.

 

Feet Fitted with Readiness

            Ephesians 6:15 tells us that we can stand firm “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  The normal reaction to being knocked down by the trials and temptations of life is called “fight or flight.”  You either fight back immediately or you run away.  In reality, both tactics cause you to respond in a way that our spiritual enemy wants you to respond.  If you fight back then you are acting in a manner similar to that of the devil and you are probably doing so without an appropriate plan.  If you run away then you may avoid your problems temporarily but, eventually the problems will return and do so with greater intensity. 

            If you have the Gospel of Peace in your heart then you are ready, not to fight or flee, but instead to stand firm.  You can stand firm knowing confidently that Jesus Christ is on your side and that He will fight your battles for you. 

 

Gospel of Peace

            The Gospel of Peace is the good news that Jesus Christ lives today!  In Luke 4:18-19 it is recorded Jesus as saying, “’The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’”  Jesus came to declare salvation to those in desperate need of being rescued.  He brought physical and spiritual freedom to the wounded and the oppressed.  He brought freedom from the bonds of the devil as He conquered sin and death with His sinless life, death, and resurrection.  If you trust in the Lord with all your heart then you will discover His peace; a peace that only Jesus gives.

            When you live in the Gospel of Peace then you are fitted with the readiness to stand firm, and to move according to God’s plan for your live instead of being tossed chaotically on the waves of life’s storms.  You can react confidently to life’s problems because of the One to whom you belong.  You belong to Jesus!  Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

Finding Peace

            I believe that if you following what I call Paul’s Victory Actions then it will bring you the peace of Jesus Christ.  Put on the armor of God, stand firm with Jesus, live in truth, and live in righteousness.  If you do this then you will discover that peace will follow.

            In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he stated this another way in chapter 4 verses 4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

            The temptations and trials that you face today are real.  They cause you pain and can permanently damage your relationships.  But, you are not defenseless nor helpless!   The Philippian passage teaches us to respond do life’s problems by rejoicing in the Lord, being gentle, knowing the Lord is near, avoid feelings of anxiety, and always giving thanks in all your prayers and requests.  Then, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  The peace of God brings stability and sense to your life even when you are in chaos and in doubt.  These actions take your eyes off the problem and cause you to focus on Jesus Christ.  He alone is the Answer.  He alone brings you peace.  As it is written in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

            The same chapter four in Philippians reveals Paul’s attitude to the problems of life.  This attitude is a wonderful example to us as to how we should respond to life’s problems.  In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul wrote, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

            Like Paul we can learn “to be content whatever the circumstances” and then declare, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Our circumstances may change but the One who is constant in our lives is Jesus Christ.  Jesus never changes!  He will be our strength in our weakness and calm the storms of our lives.  It is because of Jesus that you “your feet (can be) fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

 

Conclusion

            Life’s trials and temptations happen to everyone.  You can find freedom from them and live in peace.  Remember to turn your eyes upon Jesus and He will bring you peace.  There is nothing the devil can do to you if you response to his actions by the peace that comes from the Lord.

 

Prayer

            Dear Lord, please help me to find your peace in the midst of life’s battles.  I choose to focus on you and to trust in you.  Thank you for allowing me to be content at all times.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

  

 

 For You to Consider

 

1.     Why is the “fight or flight” reaction to life’s problems not the best way for a believer to respond?

 

2.     What is the Gospel of Peace and how can it change your life?

 

3.     Why is it important to your spiritual health for you to rejoice and be thankful at all times?

 

4.     What must you do to “be content whatever the circumstance”?

 

5.     What must you do in your heart and mind to declare with confidence, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”?