Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The gospel of the kingdom referred to in this passage is a complete gospel, balancing and bringing together the elements of faith, works, love, and obedience into one complete and indivisible whole. It is not one-sided in nature, only focusing heavily on faith with no real accompanying obedience, neither does it focus on obedience without a living faith that works by love. All of the mentioned ingredients are necessary when preaching "This gospel of the kingdom".
Faith is the means whereby we gain access to God and is of great importance at the beginning of such a relationship, and is also needed on an on-going basis, so that spiritual growth in grace, and the development of a deep and abiding trust in God can be the tenor of our entire religious experience. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
But obedience to the revealed will of God is just as important, for it constitutes the proactive steps to be taken after faith in God is exercised. Without obedience as an integral part of our Christian experience, faith just remains as a dead theological concept, not able by itself to unlock the storehouse of God's promises to those who believe. What is worthy of note is that the Bible specifically states that it is only after we believe and actually do the will of God, that the promises are fulfilled. And this pattern is set in stone, with no other method available or even suggested by God. Any doctrine which teaches access to the promises of God by faith alone is a doctrine of devils, which God neither recognizes or endorses, and is therefore rendered powerless to bring either blessings or deliverance to its subscribers. Let's read:
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
And last but not least is the element of love, which runs as a golden cord through faith and obedience, thus making them acceptable to God. Without the genuine gold of love to God and love to our fellowmen, faith and obedience are entirely worthless in the greater scheme of things, for by themselves they are unable to warrant us a place in God's eternal kingdom of glory without the basic underlying current of love. This statement of fact is clearly revealed in the word of God, so that the correct balance of all three elements can be understood and implemented by the Holy Ghost working in and through us. Let's read:
1st Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
However it is a sad commentary of our time that the gospel of the kingdom is being greatly diluted, with great emphasis on faith and the reaping of material blessings, while obedience sits idly and silently on the back-burner, being held as unnecessary, or even irrelevant in some theological circles. Love is lauded to the high heavens, and good charitable woks to support it is encouraged by many bishops and ministers of the gospel, while obedience to the law of God is regarded as being relevant to the ancient Jews only, and not pertaining to us in our day.
But the same Bible that teaches us the great importance of faith and love, also states that love to God is manifested in obedience to His commandments, and it goes on to declare that if anyone claims to love God whilst deliberately trampling upon His commandments, that person is a liar, and does not know God at all. Let's read:
1st John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1st John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
In our presentation of the gospel to all nations and every individual we come in contact with, it is therefore necessary that these three fundamental elements be thoroughly explained, so that those who are sincerely seeking for truth may have a balanced understanding of a right relationship with God, and not be subjected to the brainwashed strain of the gospel that is so often peddled in high and low places. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which focuses on that aspect of the gospel which pertains to obedience, for it is the one essential ingredient that is most neglected in the contemporary preaching of our day. Let's read:
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!