This message came soon after the Israelites were summoned by God to go to Mount Horeb, where He manifested His glory and power. There, they were frightened by what they saw: the mountain was smoking, and fire surrounded it, which filled them with fear. As a result, they asked the Lord not to speak to them directly anymore, but through Moses (Exodus 19–20).

The Most High approved the Israelites’ request and allowed Moses to communicate His instructions to them. One of the first messages was that they were the Lord’s holy people, set apart and belonging exclusively to God. After the terrifying vision of the Almighty on the mountain, this good news brought them great joy. This points to Christ in our own day, who proclaims good news to us!

There are preachers who criticize us for constantly speaking about the blessings revealed by the Gospel. At times, they seem like messengers of the enemy, because the message they proclaim leads people to sadness, believing they must live with empty stomachs, worn-out shoes, and little food on the table in order to please the One who said He came to give us life in abundance (John 10:10b). Why do they speak this way?

Job's friends came to comfort him, but they accused him all the time of having sinned. On the other hand, the Lord saw no fault in Job and did not rebuke him, but rather his friends: And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. (Job 42:7).

We are a people set apart to live the Good News and to go into the world proclaiming to all, religious or not, that they have been invited to take part in Jesus’ banquet and partake of what He provided through His death and resurrection. Today, we can experience the richness and abundance found in His Word. Those who accuse us of proclaiming salvation eat the worst of this earth, the bread kneaded by the king of Hell, when they should be enjoying the best of God (Isaiah 1:19), in Whom they should believe.

How inconsistent the preaching of the so-called “gospel of misery” is! It claims that Jesus paid the price, yet fails to teach that everyone can partake in this unparalleled work accomplished on behalf of humanity. Whom do such messengers of negativity truly serve? We should show them mercy and love, for their ignorance of Christ’s work causes them to live under the enemy’s oppression, instead of placing him under their feet. Stay watchful!

Never believe anything spoken by modern-day Pharisees, for they see themselves as righteous before the Lord, yet live practicing and embracing things condemned by Scripture. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give account for our actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares