The verse under study gives us an example of faith in God, showing that there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed (Mark 4.22). For this reason, the Church of Christ is warned that her enemies will not rejoice over her for no reason. So, it is up to God's servants to sanctify themselves, or they will see the kingdom of darkness using people to laugh at the Word of the Lord. These adversaries will only mock if there is reason to do so. Take care!

When we examine history since the Church was founded in Jerusalem, we see that some of its leaders were wicked, made it an empire and, with complete lack of scruples, killed innocent people and tortured thousands in order to instill their will. Now, if they were sincere before God, they would be anointed with the Holy Spirit in order to convert and follow divine laws.

You only have to read the Gospels, the new doctrine brought by Jesus, to understand that, with this ecclesiastical leadership, the purpose of Christ coming into the world was put aside. Thus, a rich, powerful religion was created, which is not in line with the Master's teachings. He said: For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you (John 13.15). If we learn and practice the Scriptures, we will see the same operations in the services, just as the people saw them in the days of the Savior on Earth.

The recipe is to obey God's commands, but “wise men” were allowed to misrepresent the cause of the existence of divine work. They even used physical and military force to “catechize” the lost, so that this Church could subsist. When man directs God's harvest, it ceases to be the Lord's. We have the example of Jesus, who showed us how to act when “opportunities” suddenly arise. Watch and pray!

Without a motive, the Church's opponents will never succeed, and she will drive her persecutors into the arms of Christ (Acts 9.19-22). When the Church doesn't respect the plan drawn up in heaven and uses what man creates, it gives itself over to mockery. God cannot act where man dictates the rules, making everything Jesus did for the redemption of humanity useless. We are God's people, called to be holy and partakers of His Body (1 Corinthians 1.2). We are not an evil association!

When the Truth is preached, the Holy Spirit won't let the Church's enemies mock it, but they will be reached by divine love, which will show them how wrong they are. The world will not be converted by using strange (Numbers 3.4) and harmful fire on the Lord’s altar. In fact, whoever brings this fire to the pure work of the Most-High will be taken away from it (Numbers 26.61).

 We don't have opponents to physically fight with us, but rather unbelievers who don't see the true love of Christ in us. Some preachers are even ashamed of those who let the Lord use them to heal the sick, deliver people oppressed by the devil and perform the same deeds as Jesus. Well, isn't that what the Son of God warned us we would do? (John 14.12). Believe!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares