Boot Camp 101(Pack Up & Ship Out Your Civies- Put On Your Uniform!)

New Year 2014

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace

The Roman soldiers footgear was known as caligae

Hobnail-studded leather soles 1/2 inch thick

Strips of cloth or fur used as a lining

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace

The Roman infantry was known as caligati

Able to march in common military step 20 miles in5 summer hours

In the quicker full step they marched 24 milesin the same time

In full marching equipment!

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace

In Scripture feet are synonymous with service.

It is the seasoned combat veteran; the spiritually mature Christian Warrior who can serve the Lord to the maximum of their capability & capacity.

The wearing of spiritual combat boots indicates readiness to serve our Supreme Commander wherever & whenever He directs.

“shod” – aorist middle participle of hupodeō (hupo – under & deō – to bind) – to bind beneath; to put on footwear.

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace

“preparation” – preparation; equipment.

“of the gospel” – euangelion (eu – good & angelia – news).

“the equipment of the gospel.”

The equipment for full preparedness in witnessing is the knowledge of Bible doctrine pertinent to salvation, described here as “the gospel of peace.”

Ephesians 6:15 – Feet shod with the Gospel of peace

“Peace” – eirēnē – “even peace” – refers to the Doctrine of Reconciliation.This command is given to all members of the Royal Legion – EVERY believer is in full-time Christian service.

“Also, having put combat boots on your feet, with the equipment of the gospel, even peace (reconciliation).”

“Above all” – “in addition to all these”

Ephesians 6:16

NKJV seems to indicate that the Shield of Faith is superior to all the other pieces of armor – NOT SO!

The Shield is an equally necessary part of the Royal Warrior’s armor.

“taking” – aorist active participle (imperative use) of analambanō – to pick up & carry.

Ephesians 6:16

We appropriate the Shield by picking it up & carrying it by means of Faith-Rest (the practical, spiritual common-sense application of the Word of God to all situations of life).

“In addition to all these, having picked up & carried”

Ephesians 6:16

“the shield” – thureos – a large, door-shaped shield.

The foremost of the Roman soldier’s defensive weapons was his shield.

It was constructed of a double-thickness of planks & joined together with glue made from the hides of bulls.

The outer surface was then wrapped with canvas & covered with calf-skin.

Ephesians 6:16

The shield had an ornamental metal binding made of iron along the top & bottom rims which protected it from being damaged when set on the ground, or from the cutting strokes of the enemies swords.

It was fitted with an iron boss to deflect the destructive blows of stones, long javelins, & other missiles which were in common use.

It had 2 leather straps:1. One fitted the forearm &

enabled the soldier to execute the various commands for the use of his shield in combat.

2. The other was a sling by which he carried the shield, slung over his left shoulder while marching. HE ALWAYS CARRIED HIS SHIELD WITH HIM.

Ephesians 6:16

Ephesians 6:16

A whole manual of arms for the shield was issued to the soldier – he was drilled until he was expert in its use.

The loss of a soldier’s shield often meant the loss of his life.

The instructions for our shield of faith is found in our very own drill manual – THE BIBLE.

Ephesians 6:16“of faith” –Faith is a system of thinking. It is not lack of thinking or related to some emotional activity.The majority of everything we have ever learned was learned “by faith.”

Just as we have received the Living Word by faith, so now we walk according to the Written Word – by faith (Colossians 2:6, 7).Faith-rest is the firing pin that launches Divine Viewpoint into the devil’s world.

Ephesians 6:16One way we pick up & carry our shield is by applying the Word of God in normal situations of life (Hebrews 4:1-3).Remember that Bible doctrine is intensely practical as you face monotony & routine in life.God has a definite purpose for your life – as you realize His purpose, humdrum tasks take on zest.You can enjoy life, for you do what you do as unto the Lord!

And remember, “faith comes by hearing, & hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).