What does being "anointed" by God mean for our Christian walk today? The Setting: God’s Promise in 2 Corinthians 1:21 “Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us.” Old Testament Roots: What Anointing Originally Signified - Kings (1 Samuel 16:13), priests (Exodus 28:41), and prophets (1 Kings 19:16) were physically anointed with oil. - The act set them apart, empowered them for service, and publicly identified them as God’s chosen servants. - Ultimately, these shadows point to Jesus—the Messiah, literally “Anointed One” (Psalm 2:2; Luke 4:18). New Covenant Reality: How God Anoints Believers Today - Spiritual, not ceremonial: “You have an anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20, 27). - By the Spirit: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power” (Acts 10:38); the same Spirit now indwells us (Romans 8:11). - Sealed for assurance: “Having believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). - Continuous, not momentary: “He has put His seal on us and placed His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 1:22). Practical Implications for Everyday Discipleship 1. Identity and Belonging • We are marked as God’s own people; we don’t live as spiritual orphans. • Our worth comes from His choosing, not from cultural approval. 2. Empowerment for Service • Spiritual gifts flow from the anointing (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). • Confidence grows because the power is His, not ours (2 Corinthians 4:7). 3. Insight into Truth • The Spirit teaches and guards us from deception (1 John 2:27). • Scripture comes alive; we read with the Author inside us (John 16:13). 4. Protection and Endurance • “The evil one cannot touch him” (1 John 5:18)—our anointing places us under divine covering. • Trials press but cannot crush (2 Corinthians 4:8–9) because God sustains His anointed ones (Psalm 23:5). 5. Mission and Witness • Just as oil flowed outward, our anointing overflows to others; we carry Christ’s fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:14–15). • We represent the King in word and deed (Matthew 5:14–16). Guarding and Growing in the Anointing - Stay in the Word: “Sanctify them by the truth” (John 17:17). - Walk in obedience: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30). - Foster fellowship: corporate worship fans the flame (Hebrews 10:24–25). - Keep short accounts: confession maintains unhindered communion (1 John 1:9). Living It Out Together - Encourage one another with reminders of our shared anointing. - Serve boldly, trusting the Spirit’s enablement rather than self-effort. - Face opposition calmly, knowing God defends His anointed (Psalm 105:15). - Let the oil of gladness (Hebrews 1:9) mark every aspect of life—work, family, ministry—so that Christ’s anointing in us becomes unmistakable to a watching world. |
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