Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18). Did He build it? Paul says that the church is the house of God (I Tim. 3:15). The book of Hebrews shows that Christ is a Son over His own house (Heb. 3:6). He purchased the church with His own blood and therefore it belongs to Him (Acts 20:28). He is like said to be the head over the church in order that He might have the preeminence (Col. 1:18). The church is His body and He is the head over it (Eph. 1:22). All of these and similar passages indicate the absolute rule of Christ in the hearts of men.
Everyone will not be saved (Matt. 7:13,14). Therefore the rule of Christ has a specific meaning in it. Since He is the head of the church and the church is His body, it is He that determines right and wrong and the direction for men’s lives (Jer. 10:23). If one is not in the body of Christ then the rule of Christ does not pertain to that person. There is no room for fellowship with righteousness and unrighteousness (2 Cor. 6:14). The works of darkness are to be reprove as a part of the fellowship issue (Eph. 5:11). Who then is in charge on earth? Jesus said He had all power in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:18).
Christ is not on earth in visible form. How then does He rule? Out of the mouth of the Lord goes a sharp sword (Rev. 19:15). This verse cites two things. One is by this “sword” He conquers the hearts of men and second He rules them with an rod of iron. Jesus gave the responsibility of directing the business of the church to elders (Heb. 13:7,17). They do not rule by their own will but rule according the will of Christ. We have no earthly headquarters and no group of men dictate the will of God. Each of us must study in order to correctly interpret what is God’s will for our live (2 Tim. 2:15). Jesus in His times will show that He is the only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15). Our task is to accept His authority over our hearts.