26TH FEBRUARY
Ephesians 6:13-18
“Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
Knowing the gospel thoroughly makes you ready for any opportunity!
In the middle of Paul’s description of the full armour of God is this: “as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace”. Readiness—what a great word describing the ministry mindset of a witness for Jesus!
A person like that doesn’t freak out when a door opens for a spiritual conversation because they are ready. They aren’t thrown off balance when the person they are talking to says something that is different than they expected. When you know the gospel thoroughly you can come at it from any angle and interact with it without fear.
Is the person super religious? Great, I’ll start with Nicodemus. Do they feel that the things they have done are unforgivable? I’ll take them to Jesus on the cross saying “It is finished!” and then go to Romans 5:6-8.
Do they feel unloved and unlovable? I’ll start with my testimony, then head to John 3:16 and then the end of Romans 8.
When you really know the gospel it lets you relax into your role as a witness.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Think through the kinds of situations and people you are likely to encounter and the best way into the gospel with each one. If it helps, write them down so you can remember them.