The Anointing, Power in the Present

[HKHaugan]

In John’s first general letter he calls believers of every age children in the most affectionate sense and with that he affirms it is from God who made them children with a special power, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth (1Jn.2:20).” He goes on to say in vs.27, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
We want to do three things: unpack the passage, define the word and then apply it.

First, unpack the passage.
Vs.20 If you have an anointing from the Holy One then the anointing is a Holy anointing. It is given to set you apart to reflect His Holy nature. It is designed to cause a spiritual reaction in the heart of one or more and make the moment a spiritual moment for them.

As the verse continues note that it says you know the truth. They are aware that Jesus taught He was truth and that His Word was truth. But that is more than just the idea of Jesus being the Anointed One and the idea of His Word being full of true doctrine. It means that the heart has realized personally, deep within, that Jesus is real in their heart and that His Word truly is God’s very mind at work in them. It is a personal spiritual encounter in both Person and Word. When John says “all of you” he is referring that this truth is One truth but each individual knows it personally.

Vs.27 the anointing is a continuing fact that does not leave you. Once you have it, it remains. Once you have experienced it you know what it is and don’t have to be taught about it anymore. The teaching you will receive from anointed teachers will add to the strength of the anointing in you. As the anointing works in you it will reveal itself in the understanding and wisdom you gain in everything you do. Furthermore, the anointing will not only remain in you but it will encourage you to remain in Jesus. The purpose is the more you grow the more you have to give away. The anointing expands your born again self within and extends the Lord’s presence without.

Second, define the word.
The word ‘anointing’ is fascinating. It is not a usual word in conversation nor is it commonly understood. It comes from the Greek, chrisma. There is the ‘Anointed One’ (Jesus), ‘the anointing’ (the Holy Spirit’s touch) and ‘to anoint’ the verbal action describing the believer’s use of oil as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s work in healing and blessing. It is occasionally employed in secular conversation when referring to a specially chosen athlete or someone with a flare for, a passion about, undertaking a cause. In the disciple's jargon it refers directly to those who seem to have struck a chord in the hearts of other believers while teaching, relating, ministering or exuding a Spirit led presence wherever they are.

‘Anointing’ carries spiritual impact whenever used. In other words it is an external gift. When someone is given a spiritual gift or gifts or in some way exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit that is a specific anointing for a particular purpose as in Bible teaching, healing, administration, pastoring, leadership and so on. The importance of its external gifting is that it points to its source as the power accomplishing what an anointed person is given to do.

Third, applying the word.
Anointing for a disciple has a beginning. That is important to see. The moment one has received Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as God the Son to be their personal Savior and Lord, that moment was an anointing from God the Father through the work of God the Holy Spirit. That was the moment we received an eternal identity. We were born again, new born spiritually to be God’s child, restored to have a personal relationship with God. The anointing continues since that anointing is for growing into eternity. A continual anointing comes as the Scripture, the anointed Word of God, is read, digested and taken to heart. The anointing is the ongoing reminder of the presence of Jesus in the every next moment experience of life in this world.

The anointing is the sense of the Lord’s presence that leads you to make decisions that coincide with His Word. Whether it is on a job, or at home or on the way, it will be the moment a choice presents itself wherever you are. A disciple of Jesus knows that every choice is a spiritual choice involving the capture of every next moment for the Kingdom of God.

It is maintaining the consciousness of the anointing that the passage calls for. It says to remain in it. On other words the more you rely on its reality the more you respond with it automatically. Wherever we are we keep in the front of us that our personal relationship with Jesus is anointed, anointing and anointizing (my word). It has an immediate and ongoing effect not only on the one carrying the anointing but also on those who have been its beneficiaries.

Maintaining that consciousness is exactly what Paul means in his letter to the Colossians when he says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col.3:1-4).” That is not only a passage for the future Kingdom but one for every next moment. The anointing is for you to appear with Him in His glory every next moment. The joyful thing is He gets the glory and the blessing is to know He shares it with you.