“Who has trampled the Son of God underfoot.” Hebrews 10:29
Images often become universal symbols. After toppling Saddam Hussein’s statue in central Baghdad’s Paradise Square, pent-up emotion burst forth from those who had felt the scourge of the Iraqi dictator. Many expressed their disdain of Hussein in a way commonly understood in Middle Eastern culture: they stomped on anything tied to him. As one news story reported, “Locals now feel vindicated by TV pictures of jubilant Iraqis stomping on images of Saddam Hussein.” The feet, and by association, the shoes, represent power and authority over something or someone. Joshua called for the men of Israel to “Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings.” Joshua 10:24. Malachi wrote “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.” Malachi 4:3. This symbol culminates in a powerful verse. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:20.
But, there’s a caveat: Be careful what you step on! Anything you put your shoes on means you despise it. Indeed, God told Moses, “Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’” Exodus 3:5. In other words, “Take care how you stand in My presence. Don’t be crude, insensitive or uncaring of My holiness. Let your very demeanor acknowledge who I am.” While God reached out to Moses via the burning bush, He demanded profound respect from Moses.
Today, in their zeal to expand the frontiers of evangelism, some have confused free salvation with cheap salvation. We must not re-cast God’s grace into a bargain-basement buyout frenzy. Shoving aside the essence of God’s perfection imperils our relationship to Him. Is it possible for anyone who has known the grace of God to fall from that grace, or for a friend of God to become His enemy? Paul thought so. “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4. The smaller the impact Calvary makes on our lives, the more insignificant it becomes. Gradually, salvation shrinks into a meaningless exercise in semantics.
Do you have blood on your shoes? Do you hate your brother? Do you love the world? Are you abiding in Christ? Are you continuing to commit sin? “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17. What about prejudice or racism? Arrogance? Sowing of discord? Gossip and backbiting? Hypocrisy? Pornography? Withholding God’s money? Defiling God’s temple? Trusting in uncertain riches? Check your shoes.
Anyone who’s shoes are stained with the precious blood of Christ should clean them and apply that blood to their hearts! Herein lies a potent principle: When you walk in sincerity and purity, you walk in power! It is not enough to be doctrinally correct. We must have purity in our lives as well. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Titus 2:11-12. Where is the blood of Christ in your life? “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).