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Show notes
Jeff and Randy continue to discuss the Ephesians 6 armor by starting at the feet. After a short recap of taking thoughts captive (2 Cor. 10:3–5), thinking on what is true (Phil. 4:8), setting the mind on things above (Col. 3:2–3), and standing on God’s Word instead of circumstances, they pick up Ephesians 6:15: feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. Peace here is not a mood. They walk through Deuteronomy 20 — Israel sent the fearful and the unfinished home — and Randy’s Desert Storm memory of wills, power of attorney, and insurance. A warrior who is not at rest is a liability. Biblical peace is shalom: covenant wholeness, nothing missing, nothing broken. It is grounded in the finished work of Jesus (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14; John 14:27; Col. 3:15; Phil. 4:6–7; Rom. 8:6; 2 Thess. 3:16). Fear and discord are Satan’s attempt to sweep the feet out from under you. Then Ephesians 6:16, the large, body-covering shield of faith. Using Romans 8:31–35 they name the flaming arrows: God is not for you. You are accused. You are condemned. God does not love you. Faith answers with the cross and the resurrection — they quote J.D. Greear: judge God’s compassion by the cross and His power by the resurrection. Finally Ephesians 6:17. The helmet of salvation is not “getting saved.” Paul is writing to people who already are. It is thinking from redemption, forgiveness, new life, and being seated with Christ (Eph. 1:7; 2:4–6; Isa. 59:17). The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God — the short Roman sword for close combat, not a trophy. They close Part 1 here: We stand because we are in Christ. Key texts: Eph. 6:15–17; Deut. 20:5–8; Rom. 5:1; 8:6, 31–35; John 14:27; Phil. 4:6–7; Isa. 59:17.