OCTOBER 8
THE ANOINTING REMAINS IN YOU
1 John 2:27
As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him. (WEB)
I find today's Bible reading very interesting. Although God has given His Church the five-fold ministry as a gift (apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists), if we were stranded on a desert island with no access to good teaching, we would still be okay. The reason is that the anointing of God remains in us.
While some people might quote today's verse to justify their independence from the Body of Christ, I do not believe that this is what John is saying. 1 Corinthians 12 clearly states that we are called to live an interdependent life with each other, just like a body is the sum of all its parts. However, since the anointing lives in us, we shouldn't place unhealthy expectations on other brothers and sisters to teach us things that the Holy Spirit has promised to do Himself.
My prayer today is that we all recognize the anointing within us. God has not abandoned us to navigate the Christian life on our own. Even if our spiritual leaders sometimes fall short, we can take comfort in knowing we can go directly to the Source of Life within us to find the answers.
John 14:16-17
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— 17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. (AMP)
As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him. (WEB)
I find today's Bible reading very interesting. Although God has given His Church the five-fold ministry as a gift (apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists), if we were stranded on a desert island with no access to good teaching, we would still be okay. The reason is that the anointing of God remains in us.
While some people might quote today's verse to justify their independence from the Body of Christ, I do not believe that this is what John is saying. 1 Corinthians 12 clearly states that we are called to live an interdependent life with each other, just like a body is the sum of all its parts. However, since the anointing lives in us, we shouldn't place unhealthy expectations on other brothers and sisters to teach us things that the Holy Spirit has promised to do Himself.
My prayer today is that we all recognize the anointing within us. God has not abandoned us to navigate the Christian life on our own. Even if our spiritual leaders sometimes fall short, we can take comfort in knowing we can go directly to the Source of Life within us to find the answers.
John 14:16-17
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— 17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. (AMP)