A Sermon by Mackintosh Mackay
Ephesians 6:15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
In this verse, the figure of speech used in the previous verse is continued. Here Paul brings before us what corresponds in the soul, in its course of spiritual warfare, to what shoes are to the feet, in a bodily sense. He means the preparation of the gospel of peace. We must (1) point out what is here meant by the preparation of the gospel of peace, (2) show that the Apostle’s figure answers his purpose, (3) appeal to your conscience and experience to show your need of this defence, and its preciousness and safety for those who, through grace, have it.
1. The meaning of the term, “the preparation of the gospel of peace”. We wish to warn you against rashly interpreting general expressions of this kind. This phrase may seem, at first sight, a very general expression – either one with a wide meaning, or one to which several different ideas might be attached without doing violence to its spirit. Now to receive expressions of Scripture, intended to be of practical use to the Christian, in this vague manner is far from satisfactory and can scarcely be profitable. How then, it will be asked, are we to discern the meaning of such passages? Surely by diligently studying the Scriptures, and comparing spiritual things with spiritual – seeking God’s guidance, and His Spirit to enlighten our minds and give us humble submission, perseverance of mind, and practical wisdom to understand the light which one portion of Scripture can shed on the other.
Following this rule, we find various designations given to the gospel, in the New Testament: “the gospel of the kingdom”, “the gospel of Christ”, “the gospel of salvation”, “the gospel of the grace of God”, and “the gospel of peace”. The term gospel must refer to some characteristic of the gospel’s excellence. “The gospel of the kingdom” refers to the kingdom which it is to establish visibly in the souls of men. “The gospel of Christ” refers especially to the glory of its Author and His offices, and the excellence of its provisions. And “the gospel of peace” must refer us more especially to the peace which the gospel establishes between God and man – a peace which could never be enjoyed by any individual of our lost race apart from the gospel scheme being devised, revealed and believed. And the gospel brings another blessing – a peace of man with man.
All will confess that these two blessings are valuable, for they constitute
1The first of two sermons on this text; taken, with editing, from Mackay’s Sermons on the Christian Warfare. For an account of his life, see the February 2007 issue of this Magazine.
the very elements of true happiness in man. Were these two kinds of peace enjoyed, what could any longer be either lacking or wrong? And when these are not enjoyed, everything is but gall and bitterness to the soul, whatever its other means of enjoyment. But do not put first what God has put last. Peace with Him is the element of human happiness, and of every enjoyment deserving the name. With this, there may indeed be variance with others, but peace with God will soften it and will tend to heal it. Without peace with God, the degree of peace the individual may have with the ungodly around him contributes little to his true happiness. At best it will soon come to an end. The gospel of peace refers emphatically to the words of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”.
In trying to describe further the simile in our text, we must remember that the Christian’s life is represented as a course of warfare; he is habitually to contend with the enemies of the soul and overcome them. The military of those countries and times had to force their way through rough, inhospitable regions. Smooth paths or roads were not prepared for them; obstacles of every kind lay in their way, and a defence for their feet became a part of their usual outfit. Their garments left most of the leg uncovered, and what are called shoes in our translation included a defence for that whole part of the body. It had to protect their legs in the thorny, rugged paths through which they had to go in contending with their foes. The attire of the warrior showed that he was prepared to sustain toil and bodily hardships.
We must also note that, in Scripture language, the feet or footsteps indicate one’s doings or actions, as in: “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies”. Thus the practical significance of the figure in our text is: In all our goings, deeds and habits, we must keep in mind the great principles and truths of God, which the gospel of Christ unfolds; it is by remembering them constantly that the mind will be maintained and strengthened to withstand the trials, and to overcome the hardships of the scene of sin, temptation and suffering in which believers are now placed.
To set some of those truths and principles before you, we wish to emphasise that the leading feature of the gospel is the light it sheds on the character and attributes of God. Having these revealed to the mind, as they are manifested in Christ Jesus, inspires the soul with confidence in God and with the desire to love and serve Him in all things. As no one can walk with moral consistency, in the business of this world, without having certain moral principles soundly established in the mind, so we cannot walk as Christians, as those who aspire to immortality and glory, without having continually before us the character and attributes of the God whom the Christian serves. And as the gospel of Christ unfolds the character and will of God, so it presents to every believer the fact that, among all His attributes, love and good will to men reign everlastingly and unchangeably.
The revelation of this, through Jesus Christ, is abundant and perfect; and in beholding it the soul has peace with God and comfort, under all the wise dispensations of His grace and providence. There is abundant provision, in the way of salvation through Christ, to bestow this peace upon us. Our sins deserve God’s anger and everlasting destruction, but He was pleased from eternity to ordain a way of escape for those whom He purposed to save from the wrath to come. Every step of this way demonstrates that His thoughts were thoughts of peace and of good will toward the sinful children of men.
We will not attempt here any defence of those facts in the government of God which show that not all men receive the benefit of Christ’s salvation. All attempts to unfold the ultimate causes of such acts of God must fail, for the obvious reason that our feeble, limited minds cannot scan the whole plan, and all the interests, of His government in this world. It is worse than presumption for individuals to whom the gospel of peace is addressed to suspend their belief, or even their efforts or desires to believe, until their own fancied powers of mind have pried into all the counsels of heaven. The great facts of the gospel are before us, in God’s mercy; and whatever God may be pleased to do with others, that belongs unto Him.
The infallible truth of His declarations most clearly inform us that He has no pleasure in our death, but rather that we should come unto Him and live, that to be saved we must come to Christ and be made submissive to His authority and grace, and that converting and sanctifying power is freely offered to us through Jesus Christ. Surely if the things which are secret belong unto God, these things which are revealed belong unto us, and it is our duty and wisdom to yield willing obedience to His gracious invitations.
But the words of our text point out to us that we must not be satisfied with any merely-theoretical belief of the great truths of the gospel. Having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace manifestly implies that our acts should be consistent with the prospects which the gospel sets before us. We are there called upon to behold God offering us the redemption of our souls from sin and eternal sufferings, and to put our souls in possession of the fullness of glory and everlasting pleasures which are at His right hand. Nor can we attain to this unless we habitually believe what God reveals to us. A belief that is only theoretical, an admission that the truths of the gospel may indeed be realities, will not produce any consistent, Christian stability in our goings. Such belief permits the mind to wander continually after its idols and foolishness, and every temptation to sin will be hospitably received in the secrecy of the soul and influence the progress of our outward walk.
Thus we would seek to remind you of a very practical duty: if you seek to maintain a Christian walk, have your mind continually filled with the Word of God as it sets forth His character and His will toward you personally. There must also be industry and activity of mind, a habit of paying attention to the Scriptures, not with a cold, lifeless purpose of reading them as a duty, and assuming that you do sufficiently well in this. But you must do so with a living desire and a constant effort to have their doctrines and precepts impressed on your heart and conscience. And surely the Spirit of God is resisted and His teaching quenched when you habitually or frequently forget the very means which He has provided for you to use.
The Scriptures testify of Christ, and in Him God is revealed. If you indeed believe the truths which He brings before you, you cannot but seek to obey Him in the whole course of your doings. The great lesson which the gospel teaches is that you have to do with God and that – while He is merciful and gracious in Jesus Christ, offering to you freely His favour, and everlasting glory in heaven – He is holy still, hating sin with a perfect hatred, and calling you to perfect holiness in His fear. Your constant effort and aim must be to carry this feeling along with you, to have it rule in your minds. And when temptations to sin and error oppose your path, the memory of this should bear you up against them.
The unbelieving, earthly mind may indeed have principles of uprightness and honour and may maintain, to a degree, the individual’s inward peace in this life. They may also help to promote the well-being of society around us, but this cannot extend beyond temporal matters; while true, practical godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of this life and of that which is to come. However great the peace or security may be that flows from moral principles apart from Christianity, it will leave the soul desolate and wretched in the solemn prospect of eternity. But our choice ought to be determined by higher and more solemn considerations: God condescends to address us; we are made, not for time, but for eternity; our relation to God, as His immortal creatures, places every other relation in a subordinate place.
What can stand comparison with the preparation of the gospel of peace? It fully and freely offers to have the moral image of God wrought in our souls, so that as He first loved His people, we also would love Him supremely because He Himself is supreme. Further, as He, in His eternal character and government, brings peace and good will towards such sinners as we are, so we may be brought to bear unfeigned love, peace and good will towards every one around us.
There is much talk in the world about benevolence and humanity, and we fully accept that there is much of them in the world; but we believe more of
them are exercised than gratitude is shown in return. We would present worldly principles, not in their weakness, but in all their strength, giving them all the praise which is justly due. But what are they after all but feeble-ness? When our mutual interests oppose each other, they become as weak as Samson’s bands, as if burned with fire. But the blessed preparation of the gospel of peace – the recognition and habitual feeling of our relation to God in Christ – will keep the soul in subjection and restrain selfishness, covetous-ness and pride; and it will preserve us from fiery outbreaks of passion, which wound the soul and prevent all solid enjoyment of peace.
The promises of mental peace offered in the gospel are numerous and striking, and you will continually find them linked with confidence in God. Thus Isaiah says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee” (26:3). The Psalmist had abundant experience of God’s goodness and faithfulness amid trying vicissitudes but did not let go his confidence in the Lord; he says, “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them” (Ps 119:165). And Isaiah, addressing rebellious, unbelieving Israel, says, “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea” (48:17).
The materials for such a peace are prepared for us in the gospel of Christ, in the revelation which it fully makes of the mercy of God, concerning our everlasting prospects. But what good does such a preparation do us unless we seek it as our own personal peace, and make use of it in all our conduct, as our defence against the manifold evils which continually beset us in our journey through this world of sin? Christ told His disciples: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me”.
If, in contemplating God’s character, we consider only His attributes of justice and power, and His anger against us, it can give no peace to the mind, but anguish and trembling. The mind, however, is naturally prone to contemplate Him thus; such thoughts fill the mind with suspicion and slavish fear. The guilty conscience feels them a burden, and those who have no other religious principle strive to bury their thoughts of God in the rubbish of this world’s drudgery and sinful entertainments. But God, known in Christ, in the preparation of the gospel of peace, is a sun and a shield to the believer’s mind, bestowing both grace and glory. He promises in His faithfulness that He will withhold no good thing from those who follow Him.
The preparation, so clearly revealed in the gospel, encourages the soul to follow Him. God, in love and grace, has made provision in Christ Jesus to
secure forgiveness. In our unworthiness, He offers pardon abundantly and freely; He will not keep His anger for ever; but “as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy towards them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” When the true view of God’s character is received in the soul and habitually upheld there, the feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Surely, this is the view which will animate the believing mind to hate all sin and obey God faithfully. Moreover, the gospel reveals an everlasting fullness of grace in Christ Jesus to supply the soul’s every need. Yet even after such views of God begin to possess the mind, and desires are awakened in the soul to serve God, the mind is prone to forget and to turn away from them and follow after objects of time and sense. This departing of the heart from the Lord will take away one’s peace of mind. But how precious is the preparation of the gospel, for strength is graciously offered, to overcome this evil tendency of the heart – to renew the spirit of the mind and give increased knowledge of God and increased faith in Him, rekindle love to Him, and show more clearly the glorious realities of a coming eternity.
Do not rest satisfied even if your understanding is convinced of the truths of the gospel or if you have good resolutions. These will fail you in your time of need if you do not constantly apply to God and, through the testimony of the gospel, your desires are put into exercise on the side of God, to do His will, believing His grace and love in Jesus Christ. Strive to rely on Him as the great Mediator – the living Head of the Church, who is exalted with God in the heavens, but took a body and soul like yours in all but sin. He did so, not only to expiate sinners’ offences by suffering the punishment due to them; but as God and man in one person, to encourage sinners to come to Him and to succour them in every time of their need.
Now, God’s direction for coming to Him is made known in the gospel. Without this, you cannot prosper spiritually. You must redouble your diligence in looking to the Word of His grace and truth, and in pondering what it says to you. You must, by prayer and supplication, seek that the light, power and guidance of His Spirit would come into your heart with His pure testimony, so that you may recognise more and more clearly the everlasting foundation of peace with God in Christ Jesus the Lord. Remember that no worthiness of yours can procure to you these benefits; such a foundation would sink you into the depths of continued despair. But the eternal grace of God is the foundation to which the Scriptures, under the guidance of the Spirit, will lead your mind, and there you will obtain peace.
This text enforces a special, habitual duty: self-examination. Not to know the actual state of your heart before God is to live foolishly and unprofitably. But I speak to those who care for these things, who seek to care for them more: Does your conscience testify against you that you daily come short of having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace? Do you hourly carry belief of the great doctrines of the gospel of Christ into your actual conduct? Is it not true that, if you would consider your ways seriously at the close of every day, you might find you had too much disregarded the truths of the gospel, its precepts and doctrines?
It is vain to suppose that you can enjoy peace of conscience without examining this matter and coming anew to the preparation of the gospel of peace. At the close of each day, how necessary it is to retire from the world to converse with God and your heart, by means of His holy Word, as well as in prayer. Can you open your Bible without meeting some testimony reminding you of the state of your heart, and of the obedience and love you owe to God? And how do you live in such habitual neglect of these duties? Is it not from the prevalence of sin within you – something always obtaining the uppermost place in your mind which renders communion with God, or even with His Word, uninviting to your present desires?
When this is your state, it proclaims that the enemies of your soul have obtained an advantage over you, that instead of your feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, your soul has been wounded, as if made lame by briers and thorns in your spiritual path. In fact, your unwillingness to hold communion with God proclaims loudly to you that you are not at peace with Him, but are falling, or fallen, into a mental state of opposition to His holy will. Let not this prevail, but search out the evil which has obtained a mastery over you, and by prayer to God, and applying His Word to your conscience, you may find where the evil lies – where and how you lost sight of the principles which ought to have guided you.
If you are careless about this duty, every temptation and trial will wound your soul; your feet will stumble on the road of Christian duty, and the peace of God will be a stranger to your heart. In the practical affairs of life, nothing is more valuable than method, regularity and order. To maintain this requires perseverance and effort. The same is true in spiritual affairs. It is much to be feared that this diligence and watchfulness in spiritual matters is too rare among professing Christians; hence their spiritual faintness.
There may be much talk about what you hear, and what new things you read, but what of this if what you hear and read does not send you to commune with your own hearts and with God? It is in doing so that the soul will, by God’s blessing, know its state and the abundant preparation made for it in
the gospel of peace. It would be well if what you read and hear of the gospel would send you back to the gospel itself to seek more earnestly to have it applied to your soul, and to be more watchful about your goings. Sentiment alone will do you no good, you need right principles before God. Do not reject method and order in the affairs of your soul. Do not let a day pass without reviewing your principles, your doings and your motives – try if they are what the gospel of peace proclaims legitimate and good.
You scarcely need to be told that regularity, discipline, and method are essential in all warfare. The world, doubtless, calls you to active exertion in its affairs, and God commands you to be diligent and faithful in them, according to your place and sphere. But does God not, in His merciful providence, provide time for contemplation even for the busiest? In temporal warfare, during times of rest from action, every soldier looks carefully to the state of his armour. So you should look diligently to the state of your souls with God and seek that He, through His Word and by prayer, would strengthen your Christian principles – animate your mind in the love and obedience of Christ, and in doing His holy will.
Contend earnestly for the faith once given to the saints; behold in the preparation of the gospel of peace – in its counsels – the views and principles which have ever animated the army of the faith, the true children of God. Behold in the gospel the glorious character of their Redeemer and yours, if you indeed seek to serve Him. Waiting on Him, with His own Word as a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, His providence will always place you where the preparation of the gospel of peace will show you your duty. When you find the call of duty applied to your mind, follow it earnestly and do not be discouraged – for if God be for you, who can be against you?
When you feel as if spiritual strength and courage have failed you, seek to God to minister strength to your soul. He will maintain you and will secure your peace. Bearing in mind, and in the actual experience of your heart, the views of God which the preparation of His gospel unfolds, you will not only feel that He can and does sustain you; but that nothing can happen to you which He has not ordered for your ultimate good, and even in times of sorest perils and trials, you will experience the truth of God’s faithful promise, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”