We now come to the third piece of armor in the Christian’s panoply. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” This part of the armor distinctly refers to the Christian’s walk. He is to go forth in peace—shod with peace; and yet he is a man of war, and clad in armor from head to foot. The helmet covers his head in the day of battle, and the shoes his feet. And these he is to wear so long as he keeps the field against the enemy.
But in what way, may I ask, is the christian soldier to be a peace-maker? There seems in this a great contradiction. Admitted, my soul, but the contradiction is only in appearance. The most gentle Christian must be a stem warrior. And more, would I say, in proportion to his power as a peace-maker, will be his power in conflict with the adversary. Here is a point in the divine science of Christianity, worthy of thy most patient study. But now, remember the order, the secret is this: —When truth governs the heart, the conscience is good. We are bright and happy in ourselves, and peaceful in our ways with others. There is integrity of heart to begin with, truth in the inward parts, consistency in our conduct, and seeking the happiness of others. The salvation of the lost, the leading of such to know Him who made peace by the blood of the cross, and the happiness of the saved, become the grand objects of the peace-maker. Over such a one the enemy can gain no victory. He is unassailable. There is no point exposed. He maintains his ground. But, on the other hand, when there is carelessness as to the saving peace of the sinner, and laxity in our own christian ways, the conscience becomes bad, we are unhappy, we get into trouble, we trouble others; we are exposed to the attacks of Satan, he wounds in many places, we cannot bold up our head.
In such a case, the heart is not governed by truth. The belt, as it were, is unbuckled—the garments are allowed to fly loose. Where are the thoughts now—especially the affections—the painful results of such a course spread far and wide? Persons, families, the Church of God, are troubled. The seeds of discord grow apace, and many chief friends are separated. Satan, thou wilt perceive, has gained a great victory. But stay a moment, I pray thee. Tell me, what was the beginning of all this trouble—this shameful defeat? Just this, my soul, and mark it well; God begins with the heart, and so should we. We are to wear a girdle of truth. This is the first thing. Departure from the truth of God as our only guide, exposes the mind to its own resources, or rather, to the suggestions of Satan.
Alas, we have gone out of the way. Then come excuses, explanations, and exaggerations. Practically the girdle has dropped from the soldier’s loins, his breastplate is lost, and in place of being shod with peace, he is shod with dissension. One Christian out of communion with the Lord may prove a root of bitterness to many. Unhappy in himself, and vexed with himself, he is soon angry with others. Whereas, when the Christian is in communion, he is at peace with God, and filled with the peace of God, and goes out in the sweet peace of the gospel to others—to both saints and sinners.
And now, understandest thou, my soul, how the Christian is both a man of peace and a man of war? Yes, not only so, but I see clearly, that unless he be a man of peace he cannot be a man of war. And hast thou also noticed that there is a special honor and blessing attached to the manifestation of this christian grace. Has not the Lord Himself said, “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.” But why? Because He is the God of peace—the great Peace-maker; and they are like Him. He gave His Son to make peace. There is nothing on which His heart is more set. Peace, my son, was the language of the father’s kiss to the prodigal—the first utterance of his heart. Nothing more manifests our relation to God as His children than peace-making. “Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God.”
The expression, “your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” is extremely beautiful. It gives the idea of the Christian carrying peace into every scene which he enters. What a mission—Peace! What a title—Children of God! The reconciliation of the sinner to God, and the blessings of peace to the saints, are the objects of his heavenly mission. (John 20) Should he enter a scene which has been one of trouble, he will find out the way, if possible, to make it one of peace. But should he fail, he can look to God and patiently wait on Him. His character and mission is Peace.