In the last post I presented an itemized list of concepts associated with the dorea gift of Jesus on the cross versus the charisma gift of Jesus in you. Check it out.
In this post lets take a quick look at one of those concepts: Anointed. This can be a very churchy word I know but don’t be put off. Like the word “gift” there are two Greek works translated “anoint.” One means to “smear with fat” and the other means “to pick by touching.” Remember when you used to play tag as a kid or how about when someone is knighted? That is the idea of the “pick” version of anoint. The first anoint is something that started with Jacob.
Gen 28:18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. (ESVST)
Jacob spends the night in a strange place and has this amazing dream or vision of God standing above a ladder that touches Earth from Heaven. The angels are going up and down this ladder and God has a conversation with Jacob. Jacob is so amazed and overwhelmed, he wants to remember the place and the event, he wants to make it a special place. He does this in the customary way by “anointing” the rock he slept on with oil. Realize this was an extravagant display. It is an “over the top” expression of importance. It is like having a dinner party for your friends and you serve only the most expensive Kobe beef or import gelato from Italy or something like that. Jacob recognizes this place as God’s place. His anointing this place is his expression of affection and adoration for this event and the location of the event. It is a man’s recognition of something very special. It is an anointing by man.
This concept is the what is expressed in this passage:
Jam 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (ESVST)
The elders “anoint” the person to show their favor towards that person. They are saying “you are very special to us and to God.” They are showing everyone around them that their sins or any other flaws are inconsequential. They are declaring that “you are beloved” and forgiven. This would be a huge relief for anyone. The fallen nature of man says “there needs to be justice!” The lawyer in us says “curse them!” This is the driving force behind shame and condemnation and guilt. Jesus says there is no condemnation in Him. The elders take an opportunity to agree with Jesus and demonstrate to “a fallen nature” that the sick person’s sins are forgiven. This way the enemy has no grounds for condemnation. The people around have no grounds for judgment. The sick person is freed from shame and guilt. This is a public display of the genuine and unconditional love of Jesus for the person in need. The elders are expressing that same love as believers. It is the declaration that Jesus made on the cross: “It is finished.” There should be no doubt that the person who needs prayer is forgiven, redeemed, reconciled, restored, renewed and accepted, period.
There is a second type of anointing. This type is used here:
Luk 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (ESVST)
And here:
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (ESVST)
If you remember when Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan the Heavens opened and God said “This is my beloved Son.” I claim that is a first anointing. God declares to all mankind that this is His loved one, He is special. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and rested on Him in the form of a dove. I contend that this is a second anointing. This second anointing is part of the charisma gift package. It is God picking His team. It is knighting His agent of will. It is selecting the chosen one for the mission. It includes supernatural power and authority to get the job done. It is what enabled Jesus ministry for success. It is also what God has offered to us.
1Jo 2:20-21 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge… 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie —just as it has taught you, abide in him. (ESVST)
That should really blow you away!
We have the two anointings available to us.
The first: Jesus on the cross declares to all creation including the enemy that you are His beloved. God so loved the world that He died. This is irrevocable and undeniable. Fallen man, religion and even the devil himself has no grounds to judge you, condemn you, put guilt on you, put shame on you or anything else against what God has declared through the cross. You are His beloved, period. He loves you enough to prove it.
The second: You have the Holy Spirit. You have been picked, chosen and predestined to be His kids filled with Him. You have been formed of the dust to be redeemed by the cross to be endowed with His power and authority. God has anointed all His children with His touch. He has declared “these are my heirs.” You are royal priests and kings. You have all the resources of Heaven and the perspective of Jesus.
The problem is we mostly agree with the first anointing but hesitate to receive or completely reject the second. It is clear that God has chosen us for this privilege and opportunity. Why would we turn it down? I believe it is the work of the enemy. He has planted the fear of religion. He has worked his lies into our denominations and doctrine to keep us from living in the anointing. Listen, it is up to you. God does not force anything on any of us. You chose. You have everything sitting right there in front of you. Jesus went all the way to death on a cross and justification in resurrection to give you these gifts and anointings. God says “I pick… YOU!” What is your answer?
Yay God!
Lance
alancetotheheart 