Are Your Children Putting On The Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 3 - Gospel of Peace

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:10-15)

Please See: Introduction Of Seven Parts
Part 1 -Truth
Part 2 - Righteousness

Part 3- The Preperation of the Gospel of Peace:

Years ago, when my youngest children were yet very small, I began to wonder if I knew how to communicate the gospel rightly to them and to others. I carefully went through the Scriptures and meditated on what our Lord Jesus Christ really did on the cross. It took prayer and very sober thought about the cross of Jesus and what He did for us. It gave me the fear of God to think of the responsibility I have before God to tell others of Him, and more importantly, to tell my children.

It is a tremendous and wonderous thing that Jesus was willing to suffer for us as He did. Isaiah says it better then any words I can express:

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6)...... "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11)"


It is very important to know how to carefully expound the gospel to our children. There are so many false teachers that teach the easy believe method, "Just ask Jesus to come into your heart." etc.. this is a false gospel! Nowhere does the Bible say to, "ask Jesus to come into your heart" Let us tell our children the truth.


If we want our children to understand what Jesus did for them on the cross, we need to help them understand that they are sinners and need a Savior, (how can they want to be saved if they don't understand the sinful state they are in?) The best way to do this is by reading the Bible and true Bible stories to them so they can learn that God hates sin and those who practice iniquity, (Psalms 5:5). This way they can learn the consequences of sin, the darkness and the sorrow it brings into lives. Read the Bible to them daily, starting with creation, then on through the garden of Eden, the fall, and on, telling of Methuselah, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, the law and the prophets, and to Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. Oh teach them about God and His mercy for us through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.


Dear mothers, it takes prayer, ask God to lead you to expound 0n the Bible truths. You will be amazed at what He will put into your mind and mouth to help them understand. The important thing is to teach them, make the effort and God will guide you. It is up to us to be faithful in teaching them and setting the example, it is up to God to move in their hearts and bring them to salvation.


After we placed the cardboard pieces of the girdle of truth and the breastplate of righteousness on our soldier, we placed the cardboard piece of the "Preparation of the Gospel of Peace" on the feet of the soldier. I would pray something like this," Dear Lord Jesus, I put on my feet the preparation of the gospel of peace, thank you for the gospel and for saving me from the wrath of God because of my sin. Please help me to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within me because of Jesus Christ. Let me share the gospel with others so that they might know your peace." Again, I don't pray the same thing each time, but as God leads me. God is the one that equips us to give the gospel, we need to ask Him to prepare us for each opportunity. My children asked God to prepare them to give the gospel, and He DID and also see THIS!


Is Jesus Christ our passion? Do the children see this in our lives? They know what is most important to us. Let us have a clean heart and conscience before God and let Him use us to point our dear little ones to Him. He is our ONLY Hope, and their ONLY hope as well.




John Gills Commentary says:


Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. The Gospel is so called, because it makes men to be of peaceable tempers and behaviour, and gives peace to distressed minds: it directs the way to eternal peace, and publishes peace made by the blood of Christ; and has a much better claim to this name, and epithet, than the law has, which is often called "peace" by the Jews (l): the "preparation" of it does not design a promptitude or readiness to preach the Gospel, or to receive it, or profess it, or to give a reason of faith in it, or to endure reproach and persecution for it; nor that readiness which the Gospel is a means of, as for every good work, for the spiritual warfare, for the Christian's journey heavenward, or for heaven itself: but the word ετοιμασια signifies a "base", or foundation; and so it is used by the Septuagint interpreters on Zec_5:11; and here it designs a firm and solid knowledge of the Gospel, as it publishes peace by Jesus Christ, which yields a sure foundation for the Christian soldier to set his foot upon, and stand fast on; it being that to him, as the shoe is to the foot, its base or foundation: and for the feet to be "shod with" it, does not mean the outward conversation being agreeably to the Gospel, though such a walk and conversation is very beautiful and safe, and such may walk and war with intrepidity: but it designs the constant and firm standing of believers in the faith of the Gospel, and so striving and contending for it, without being moved from it, that it may continue with them. Shoes or boots, which were sometimes of iron, and sometimes of brass, are reckoned among the armour of soldiers (m).



Matthew Henry's Commentary says:


And their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Eph_6:15. Shoes, or greaves of brass, or the like, were formerly part of the military armour (1Sa_17:6): the use of them was to defend the feet against the gall-traps, and sharp sticks, which were wont to be laid privily in the way, to obstruct the marching of the enemy, those who fell upon them being unfit to march. The preparation of the gospel of peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to the gospel and abide by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers that may be in it. It is styled the gospel of peace because it brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one another. It may also be meant of that which prepares for the entertainment of the gospel, namely, repentance. With this our feet must be shod: for by living a life of repentance we are armed against temptations to sin, and the designs of our great enemy. Dr. Whitby thinks this may be the sense of the words: “That you may be ready for the combat, be shod with the gospel of peace, endeavour after that peaceable and quiet mind which the gospel calls for. Be not easily provoked, nor prone to quarrel: but show all gentleness and all long-suffering to all men, and this will certainly preserve you from many great temptations and persecutions, as did those shoes of brass the soldiers from those galltraps,” etc

Let us teach our children to put on the whole armor of God!

Part 4- The Shield of Faith