How to Use the Shoe of the Gospel of Peace
"...and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace..." Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV)

The shoe is a piece of armour worn by the Roman Soldiers to protect their feet

As reproduction is part of the characteristics of living organisms, so also a born again Christian should be ready to reproduce another like himself. The gospel of peace is what acquaints the unbelieving world about God's salvation plan and inevitable doomsday of mankind. It is by it man can have peace with God. It reconciles man back to God.

Benefits of the Sharing the Gospel of Peace

1.    It brings opportunity to witness the manifestation of God's power over sinners. You will see how the word of god through the power of the Holy Spirit breaks down the wicked and sinful hearts of men. “…Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? …”Acts 2:14-41.
2.     Sharing the gospel of peace makes the people of the world to know where lies the true peace. Jesus said "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT). A lot of people are desperately looking for peace through one means or the other but could not find any. When you take the gospel to them, that's when they'll realise where they can find the true peace.
3.    The kingdom of darkness gets depopulated. It is the gospel that will make people in darkness to discover themselves and rush into the light of the gospel, this makes the devil to lose grounds and thereby fail in his agenda.
4.     It makes a lot of sin to be covered. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20. When a sinner is converted, the sinner is prevented from committing further sins which he must be prepared his heart to commit.
5.  It helps you to be careful in your walk with God so as not to be a hypocrite before men. This will make you to keep at your toes when dealing with issues around you. When your ways are not right according to the scriptures, don't be surprised if people refused to listen to you.
6.     It is the gospel of peace that brings about repentance, salvation, healing and deliverance.

Getting prepared for the gospel of peace is a mark of a child of God. It is not all that will accept the gospel. “I know very well how foolish it sounds to those who are lost, when they hear that Jesus died to save them. But we who are saved recognize this message as the very power of God.” 1 Cor 1:18 (TLB). When you are preparing for the gospel of peace, you must have a complete preparation because you are trying to invade the territory of the enemy (unseen evil forces) so as not to come back wounded. The greatest injury a Christian gives to the devil is taking people out of his kingdom; for this reason, he tries to make it extremely difficult and discourage many Christians to share the gospel.

Qualifications of a Carrier of the Gospel Of Peace

For you to be fit in carrying the gospel of peace, you must have the following:
1.    You must have a genuine assurance of peace and salvation. You cannot give what you don't have. When you have not experienced the peace and salvation you are preaching about, your preaching will be useless and powerless.
2.    Have the Holy Ghost fire burning. The fire of the Holy Spirit is what will give you the zeal and the aggression to carry on the gospel to others. It is this fire that will strengthen you to be steadfast in the work. When you lack the fire of the Holy Spirit, you will not be the enthusiasm to do the work.
3.    Be prayerful at all times. Pray before you start and when you finish because you are dealing with unseen forces in the life of the person you are witnessing to; this can only be subdued with the power of prayer.
4.    Study the scriptures to get accurate verses and information for support. There are many backsliders you may encounter who have justified their backslidings with the Bible. When you do not have enough knowledge of the bible, they may conquer you with their points.
5.  Above all, you must be led by the Holy Spirit before you can do anything. Be sure you are led my Him before you go anywhere. Your spiritual level determines who and where you can preach. The Holy Spirit will help you to discern who you can speak with that will not lead to your fall or be victim of satanic attacks.

READ ALSO: The Divine Partner

Hindrances to the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

1.  Fear of what men will say. Many are living their lives according to what men say, which is very bad. If you are always afraid of what men will say concerning you, you will not be fit to carry the gospel.
2.  Fear of what to say. This affect many Christians and have hindered them from even professing their faith. Lack of study and training usually leads to this.
3.  Shyness to go out.
4.  Inconsistent Christian life. When you know full well that your Christian live is not consistent even before fellow men, your conscience may not allow you to fully minister to the lost, because you might be guilty of your words.
5.  Powerlessness. A man and his family left for India as missionaries. They faced a lot of persecutions and frustrations as people refused to listen to them. It was at this height of frustration that some Muslims contended with them that they should prove to them that Jesus is actually God's son and that the Bible is God's word. The missionaries read some verses to them but they disagreed. They said the Koran is the word of God. The missionaries did not know what to do or say, they wished they had the power they had always read in the Acts of the Apostle. This forced them back home to cry unto God for power. Powerlessness has likewise made many ineffective. Jesus said “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” Mark 16:17-20 (NKJV)

Means of Spreading The Gospel

  • tracts
  • radio
  • television
  • early morning cry
  • preaching
  • song ministration, etc

Why is the shoe associated with the gospel of peace?

Shoes for the Roman soldiers are meant for protection and standing firm to fight.
Likewise, when you are prepared to spread the gospel, it makes you to stand firm in Christ as this task will make you to constantly examine your life.
It also makes heaven to protect you because you are trying to populate God's kingdom

Constant consecration unto God and running away from filthiness makes you to be ready to prepare for the gospel peace.