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The gospel of the kingdom, set forth in Scripture, declares that by the resurrection of the dead, God has made Jesus to be both Lord and Christ, all authority has been given to Him. This gospel tells us that this Jesus is now King of kings and Lord of lords. In fact, in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus came up and spoke to His disciples proclaiming: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” When this gospel is presented, setting forth Jesus as Lord, showing that all authority has been given unto Him, those hearing this gospel are given an opportunity to decide for themselves, based on the evidence set forth, whether Jesus is who we testify that He is, or not. They can repent, changing their mind about who this Jesus is, and believe in Him, confessing Him as Lord, submitting voluntarily and completely to His authority, or they can choose not to believe and not to submit. They can choose to believe the Son and submit to Him, or they can choose not to believe and not to obey the Son. Romans 6:16-17 warns: “Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to” (HCSB). 2 Thessalonians 1:8 tells us God will deal “out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” 1 Peter 4:17 says: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” There are two groups of people in the world today. One group has obeyed the gospel, obeyed the Son, and are doing what is required to meet the conditions set forth by God to receive His gift of eternal life. Those that have responded to the message of faith, the gospel of the kingdom, by doing works of obedience, such as repenting, believing, confessing, submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, have been qualified to receive the gift of God, the inheritance of eternal life (Colossians 1:12). Their works of obedience added to, or joined with, their faith results in righteousness, justification, and salvation. Those that have refused to obey the gospel, who have refused to obey the Son, will not see life. They will receive retribution from God and will fall under His judgment. Their end will be in the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 reveals: “Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” All of these passages are about eternal life, salvation, righteousness, and justification. They all demonstrate that these things are freely given by God. These things cannot be earned by the works of the law, or by good works. These passages do, however, make it very clear that God only gives these things to those who have met the conditions that He has set. He only gives these things to those who obey the gospel message, to those who obey the Son by believing the testimony of the gospel of the kingdom and by submitting to His authority, confessing “Jesus is Lord.” I have heard some say, “Everything has been done. There is nothing that you need to do. When Jesus died on the cross he cried out, ‘It is finished.’ He has done everything, and there is nothing that you need to do.” That, however, was not Peter’s response in Acts 2:38. When the people asked what they must do, Peter did not tell them, “Everything has been done. Jesus did it all. There is nothing left for you to do.” No, rather, Peter said: “Repent, and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Yes, Jesus did it all. He paid the full price required by God. He completed the work of atonement and redemption. During His life, and in His death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled every righteous requirement of God for our justification. However, Peter, realizing that even though Jesus had finished His work, understood that there remained something that those who heard the gospel message still had to do to be saved. Peter gave them specific instructions as to what was expected of them, of what they had to do to be saved. Those that obeyed were added to the church that day. Those that accepted his message did works of obedience that, added to their faith, resulted in justification and the promise of eternal life. John 6:26-29 tells us, “Jesus answered, ‘Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.’ Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” Believing is the work “for the food which endures to eternal life.” To believe is to obey the Son. He who believes the Son has the promise of inheriting eternal life. He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.