The kingdom of darkness often uses all kinds of temptation to separate us from God and lead us to reject the salvation plan fulfilled by Jesus in every detail. However, the devil's schemes do not matter. We must keep the revelation of the Word that made us members of the Body of Christ. The enemy cannot deceive the person who has obeyed the Lord's call to surrender to Him (Matthew 11:28). We have been accepted by the Most High!

In the verse under study, the Holy Spirit declares that the proud mock the children of God. For not believing in the Lord, the arrogant are used by the devil to divert the person who is on the path laid out by the Father. Some brothers are influenced by the mockery of these proud individuals, who do not know what they came to do in life and become puppets of the enemy. They have no idea that, if they do not repent, they will be condemned to the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8).

We should not be angry with the unbelievers nor accept their insults. After all, those who do not believe in the Lord deprive themselves of being blessed with the redemption provided by Jesus for humanity, separated from the Creator in the fall of Adam in Eden. The Christian needs to be aware of the work of Christ in order to proclaim it wisely. The Savior fulfilled His mission so that everyone could become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven!

We are aware of the devil's hatred toward us because we believe in the promise made by Jesus: Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he shall never see death.” (John 8:51). This gives us complete assurance regarding what will happen after our physical death. Although many prefer to live distant from the Father, who recreated us in Christ, we will continue to love Him for having suffered on our behalf!

We can rest in the Word of God, which assures us that, by believing in Christ, we pass from death to life (John 5:24). We will never be ashamed or rejected by God. Our eternal dwelling will be in the House of Jesus, and not in the lake of fire and sulfur. We will live as beloved children of God, for that is what Christ has won for us. When we receive Him as Savior and Lord, we become children of God (John 1:12). How much honor!

The psalmist said that, despite the mockery he suffered for waiting on God, he did not deviate from the Law of the Lord. All the requirements of the Law of Moses were fulfilled by Jesus for our salvation and happiness (Matthew 5:17); therefore, we do not need to worry about keeping it. Now, we live under the New Covenant, without striving to satisfy the dictates of the Mosaic Law (Hebrews 7:18–19). Long live our freedom in Christ!

It doesn't matter who tries to prove to us that it is necessary to fulfill the Law of the Old Testament, for, as Paul said: You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4). What do you prefer: to keep the Law and be separated from Christ, who fulfilled it for us, or to live under the law of freedom, guided by the Holy Spirit? (James 1:25).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares