It would be so wrong to conclude this six-part series of articles without looking at “The workings of the kingdom of Christ” and the overview of the kingdom of Christ. Meaning that it is one! No matter the number of the “villages,” great or small, there is to be fellowship among them. There is power in fellowship, that cannot be found otherwise.
Understanding that each “village” is still autonomous, meaning that under the authority of Christ it has revealed this order in the New Testament, as the record of the churches is laid out before us in “The Acts of the Apostles” and the letters to the churches. There is not one hint that the overseers of one “village” was ever over another. Today, in some places we are in danger of violating this truth! Power is a great temptation in that sometimes “small” men desire more power! Then, in some “villages” there are men appointed to serve as overseers who are too little for the job! Their knowledge of “the teaching of Christ” is so small that it would fit in a “kids” boot. However, the kingdom of Christ works, as designed by God, as smoothly as a water wheel works, as the water is running over it. Thus, the kingdom works in each “village,” small or large so long as godly men, men with piety toward God, feed upon the all sufficient word of God, as Paul expounded: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Not only is the one kingdom of Christ, completely, or “thoroughly furnished unto all good works,” as a whole; so is each “village,” and each individual Christian when obeying “the teaching of Christ!”
Just a few words about the two words, “thoroughly furnished,” which is in the Greek text one word. It is the Greek “exartizo” and Thayer says: “1) to complete, finish 1a) to furnish perfectly.” The idea being that there is nothing lacking, as the “All scripture,” was “given by inspiration of God;” it has God as the author, the one who “breathed in” (as in breathing into the minds of those who spoke and wrote) (or breathed out as in God breath out the words) as in that the Holy Spirit put the words into the mind, then, the tongue and pen, of the speakers and writers! It might be said, that God looked upon the completed word of revelation and said: “It was very good!” Though men scheme, as they look for ways they think would improve the kingdom. They have forgotten that the anointed Lord sits upon the one throne, his throne of his kingdom! It must be understood that the kingdom of Christ is not worldly, and it cannot out “worldly the world!” The mechanical instruments of music cannot improve upon what God has authorized, no matter how sweet it may sound to the worldly minded! Games and sports will never replace the spiritual nature of the kingdom of Christ!
In this great fellowship, which flows through the spiritual nature of the kingdom into each “village,” must be guarded at all cost! Thus, the army of Christ is “thoroughly furnished,” from head to foot (Eph. 6:13-18). Not only are the “villages” fully armed with the spiritual armaments to defeat the enemy from outside the kingdom of Christ, but also from within! Those who are marching to a different drummer, who are tired of efforts to grow the “villages” by the teaching of the gospel of Christ, which is God’s power unto salvation, would like to use (Rom. 1:16). Mind you, no matter what men may put forth, it has no power to save anyone! There are some who no longer even give the invitation at the end of a sermon, even though they do not have the power to know the mind and the need of those seated before him; these so-called preachers think it is old fashioned, just a “tradition” and out of touch with modern man. But Jesus would have all to know: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). The invitation should be so clearly stated that any one, no matter his spiritual state, would feel free to come forward and answer the gospel call. Let the “villages” grow as the spiritually dead, show their willingness to humble themselves as they approach the throne of the “King of kings and the Lord of lords,” with an attitude of, “Here am I Lord, unworthy to look upon thy face.”
The kingdom of Christ is the “highway” seen by the prophet Isaiah, when he saw: “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:8-10). There we have a most beautiful view of the kingdom of Christ! It is a “highway,” it is “The way of holiness,” and the “unclean shall not pass over it,” as only those who have obeyed the gospel may walk upon the highway! It is only for “the wayfaring men, though fools,” in that only those who are willing to say, as did Jeremiah: “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).
Friends, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, please dust the “worldliness” off your feet, and walk with “the redeemed,” “and the ransomed of the LORD” and “come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy” upon your head! In the words of Paul, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10).
Frank R. Williams