Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Ephesians 6:15, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"

This morning, I consider how many times I mis-read this verse. It does not say having our feet shod with the gospel. It says having our feet shod with the "preparation" of the gospel. The gospel is a very misunderstood concept by the religious world. Most think that it has some part or a complete part in the eternal salvation of the child of God. However, the gospel itself is completely removed from the eternal
work of salvation. It is entwined in the salvation from ignorance, and it teaches things of God to His children. God uses the gospel to teach regenerate children of God the things about Himself. We do read, study, and learn, but He has determined to use the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. He could have given the child of God complete knowledge about His Word upon regeneration, but He chose instead to teach His people through preaching.

This verse plainly states that there is preparation with the gospel. It takes preparation to receive it, and in turn, it prepares us for things. Notice the location of this armour. It is on the feet.
Therefore, the gospel does not call people to sit on the stool of "do-nothing." But, it calls people to "occupy till He comes." There are things to be done around Zion. Many people say that they have no ability to lead singing (or sing at all), preach, pray publicly, or anything else in the house of God. However, the Lord does not accept excuses for His service, but rather He commands us to utilize our talent(s) and make more in His service. The key is not how many talents are given, but what we do with them.

Notice also that the gospel is a gospel of peace. We are prepared in Zion to peace and unity. Now, that might seem a little peculiar to be talking about peace in the midst of describing a soldier preparing himself for the battle. But, our Lord commands us to fight against the weakness of the flesh and the wiles of the devil. We are not commanded to bite and devour one another in His kingdom. One might ask, "Do we fight then when one comes among us that is leavening the lump?" This is a fair question, and the answer is most certainly that we try to purge the leaven out.

When one comes speaking ill by preaching or otherwise, we are given clear commandment to labour through 2 admonitions and then reject. (Titus 3:10) We are also told to go to an erring brother in the church, and then bring more from the church if he will not hear. (Matthew 18) Then, we are told to cut him off for the destruction of the flesh. Again, an erring brother (morally or otherwise) is given the same course (2 admonitions) like a heretical preacher. But, the preparation of the gospel of peace is to try to maintain unity instead of looking for problems. There are folks that are never happy unless there is a problem somewhere. Our mode should be one of happiness when the church is at rest. How beautiful it is when brethren dwell together in unity! So, if there is nothing happening, do not start anything.

Now, the spiritual application for the preparation of the gospel of peace is that when the gospel is preached in demonstration of the Spirit and with power, there is an assurance that comes to the child of God. How many times have I been down-trodden and cast down and then I am blessed to hear a sermon that speaks peace to that heart of flesh? It is at this moment that the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. At this moment, a child of God feels, "How undone I was, and the Lord's grace touched me." Then, when the heart is touched, the good tidings of great joy are given, and the broken heart is bound up. This is when we see the beauty that the Lord gave us instead of the ashes that we possessed. There is nothing more blessed to the child of God than to be able to feel His Lord. Many people do not feel Him, although He is not far from every one of us.

Then, when the assurance comes, the child of God MOVES. He says as those at Pentecost did, "What must I do?" The answer is to be baptized, call upon the name of the Lord, labour in His vineyard, take His yoke upon you, learn of Him, and find the rest for your souls. This is the work that the gospel prepares. Many times I wonder before the preaching service, "How is my ground today to receive the preparation of the gospel of peace?"

In Hope,

Bro Philip