Devotional: Ephesians 6:13-15
Posted by Dave Ketter on September 15, 2003
Ephesians 6:13-15
In this section of the passage commonly referred to as “The Armor of God,” Paul names three of the six vital pieces that this armor is made out of. They are: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Readiness of the Gospel (otherwise known as the “Shoes of Peace”). It is important for a Christian to possess all of these. For what good is it to have armor if it does not protect you completely? When understood, this passage shows all that a Christian needs to be ready for Satan’s attacks.
The first element named in this portion of Scripture is the belt of truth. Now at first truth might not seem that important. But one is reminded of John 14:6 which says “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” If Jesus is THE Truth, then the truth has to be pretty important. But what exactly does the truth guard? When Ephesians was written, Rome was the master of the world. Her soldiers were the best of the best, so to speak. A legionnaire’s belt didn’t look like the kind of belt we are thinking of. A soldier’s belt consisted of a strap that wrapped around the soldier’s waist. From this strap, thick strips of leather hung down. This protected the soldier’s hips, and his waist. We are to tell the truth by sharing the Gospel, the message of salvation. We are also supposed to live the truth by living a Christian life, not just by saying that we are Christians. The truth is a vital thing for a Christian. We live in a world full of lies. They are in textbooks, magazines, TV, on the internet, and everywhere but in God’s Word and in His people.
The second element is the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness is important. Throughout the Bible from “righteous Abel” to the Apostles of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, righteousness has played a major role in the history of God’s people. Because of his righteousness, Noah and his family were saved from the destruction of the flood. Abraham was chosen to be the father of many nations because of his righteousness. If there had been ten righteous people in Sodom, God would not have destroyed it, along with Gomorrah. Those are just a few examples of the influence of righteousness in the Bible. The list goes on and on. Notice too, that righteousness is called a breastplate. What does that protect? Your heart. Righteousness guards your heart!
The last of the three elements that I will be discussing in this devotional is the “readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace” which is also known as “the shoes of Peace.” Peace is another factor in Jesus’ ministry. In the Gospel of John, chapter fourteen, verse twenty seven, it says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” The peace of Jesus is felt by all who serve Him – it is felt. But, it is more than a feeling; it is a presence. Many who feel this peace can be strangely calm during the darkest of situations. It is unnatural, divine and unexplainable. This peace will carry us to the ends of the earth. There is more to this peace. In Proverbs it is written, “You Word is a lamp unto my feet…” This verse fits precisely into the phrase, “the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace.” The Gospel is more than the message of salvation, it is God’s Living Word. The Word gives comfort and encouragement to all who seek it. This peace guards our feet, encouraging us to go on, to continue the race (1 Corinthians 9:24).
In conclusion, we need the truth to guard our waist, righteousness to guard our hearts and peace guard our feet to run the course. One brutal fact is that without every single piece of this armor, we are vulnerable and unprotected. God, in His infinite mercy, will supply all of this if we only ask. Jesus said in John 14:13 & 14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in my name and I will do it.” So, if you ask for God’s truth, or for righteousness, or for His peace, and you believe that He will give it to you, then your request will be granted. But remember also that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17). You need to do more than pray for it, you need to strive for it. Try to attain it and if you have faith that God will give it to you, then you will receive it from Him.
