Page 45 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe

The salutation of the Jewish people to one another has always been “Shalom” (peace). Nearly all the New
Testament epistles open with variations of the salutation, “Grace to you and peace from God…” We have
been well-indoctrinated with the proper importance of grace as New Testament believers, but what about
the subject of peace? Let us systematically walk through the biblical emphasis placed on peace. Let us
begin with the gospel itself:

1. THE GOSPEL IS CALLED “THE GOSPEL OF PEACE”

“HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF “PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF
THOSE WHO PREACH GOD THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO
STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, DEVIL…AND HAVING SHOD YOUR
FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF
WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS
OF GOOD THINGS!” THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.”
Rom. 10:15
Eph. 6:15

Have you ever heard this slant on the gospel? It is to be presented under the banner of “the gospel of
peace.” Look at the other passage above in which this phrase, “the gospel of peace” appears. It is listed
as part of the armor of God! Our warfare, as stated earlier, is for the souls of men – not the “soil” of men!
We are not to be warring over the control of earthly kingdoms, but rather we are fighting Satan and his
forces for control and domination of the souls of men. Paul said:

“BUT EVEN IF OUR GOSPEL IS VEILED, IT IS VEILED TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, WHOSE
MINDS THE GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED, WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE
GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, SHOULD SHINE ON THEM.”

2 Cor. 4:3-4

The war we are to fight is to promote “the gospel of peace” among the unregenerate. Note it is presented
as armor for our feet. Wherever we walk, wherever we go, we are to have our feet shod with “the
preparation of the gospel of peace.” Saying to the lost, “Smile, God loves you!” or the now popular cliché,
“just believe and receive”, does not convey what is behind God calling it “the gospel of peace.” Let us
consider how Paul states the condition of the lost in the sight of God:

“…HAVING MADE PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS.

AND YOU, WHO ONCE WERE ALIENATED AND ENEMIES IN YOUR MIND
BY WICKED WORKS, YET NOW HAS HE RECONCILED.” Col. 1:20-21

“THEREFORE, HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD
THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST…FOR IF WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES WE WERE
RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, HOW MUCH MORE,
HAVING BEEN RECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE.” Rom. 5:1,10

“BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS YOU WHO ONCE WERE AFAR OFF
HAVE NOW BEEN MADE NEAR BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

FOR HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE…
AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE AFAR OFF…” Eph. 2:13,14-17

Having our feet shod with “the preparation of the gospel of peace” requires that we let the lost know that
they are presently alienated from God and enemies in their mind by wicked works! This is why the
gospel always begins with the call to repent ( Mat. 3:2 ,4:17, Mark 1:15, 6:12, Acts 2:38,3:19, 17:30, 26:20,) The
lost need to see that they are really lost apart from Jesus Christ restoring “peace with God” (Rom.5:1) The
gospel, in essence, is a peace treaty between rebellious, sinful man and a holy, righteous God. The
gospel, that is “the gospel of peace,” brings unbelievers into a position of no longer being alienated from
God, enemies of God, but rather they enter into a state of “peace with God” (Rom.5:1) solely on the
finished work of Jesus Christ.

We can see that from the very beginning that Christianity is to be ear-marked as a religion emphasizing
peace. It begins that way, and it is to continue to be so in the life of the believer in every relationship, both
among believers and unbelievers. Let us consider the Scriptural validity of that position.