“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things … But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
— 1 John 2:20, 27
Hello, Friends. In this exhortation we will learn how that the Lord shows “some of us” how to recognize and respond to the unction so that we can know all things needed in the moment/future, and/or what He said in the past. Then, we may be enabled to share with, and comfort, the brethren as we continue to mature in Him.
Let’s get started….
In case you do not know, the phrase “some of us” only refers to those who are Jesus’ true disciples … born of the water, and either born of the Spirit, or are waiting to receive the gift of the Spirit. (John 3:5-6; 8:31-32; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:14-17).
For the sake of understanding, the words “unction” and “anointing” in our focus verse above share the same Greek word “chrisma” and are used figuratively, “the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit.”
We have the unction available to learn to know and grow more and more in how to discern and perceive all things. In other words, we learn how to hold fast (keep) the word of God which lives in us; how to regard or consider the word of God we hear and receive in our hearts; how to judge righteous judgment; how to see things as they are and not as we suppose. These things (and more) are by-products of the unction from the Holy One.
The instructions of the Lord are inside the unction. God reveals the mysteries of His kingdom to His true disciples from the unction. All things which edify us to know of, according to the word of God, both morally and socially are in the unction from the Holy One.
Metonymically, our call and identity are known and manifest by the unction:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” — 1 Peter 2:9-10
We learn to live by the unction of the Holy One in:
- discernment and perception;
- judgment and insight;
- examination and visibility….
The unction is from the Holy One … the Holy One is the Spirit of Christ … the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of God.
The unction teaches us all things:
- We learn to know and live in our new nature and identity.
- We learn to know our calling and election.
- We have access to the anointing … which destroys the yokes.
- We speak and make things manifest as we ought to speak … by unction from the Holy One.
- We have special endowments:
- Characteristics (new nature)
- Abilities (godly skills, wisdom, workmanship)
- Aptitude (gifts, strength, endurance, victory)
- Capacity (purpose, godly intelligence, eternal life)
- We learn the practical perspectives of how to live godly in Christ Jesus.
- We are chastened and scourged by the Lord … to be partakers of His holiness.
- We take Jesus’ easy (i.e., useful) yoke and learn of Him….
Everything worthwhile from God, that is, all things which pertain unto life and godliness are in the unction from the Holy One. Let us learn (and/or continue to learn) to take full advantage of the access of the unction we have … to grow and mature more and more so that this access will abound. Yes! The more mature we are the more right of entry we have to function under the unction from the Holy One.
My goal is to function under the unction 24/7. Therefore, I must increase in the knowledge of God … and in faith, then add to it virtue (i.e., manliness … moral excellence), knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (out of a pure heart … the surface level of the foundation of the doctrine of Christ). This is how I was able to put away childish things. Moreover, I must continue to walk upright, be obedient, and be perfect as the Lord commanded; continue to learn of Him, and know how to respond to Him, promptly. (2 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 6:1-2; Matthew 11:29).
The unction is in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself “…In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” — Colossians 2:3
Here is something else we have learned, and that is, to know the inaudible unction from the Lord, which is the nudge. We are urged to be sensitive to the nudge … it is present all of the time and it will be the Lord with a gentle touch to prompt our thoughts, words, and/or actions in the ways which pleases Him. This is where an higher level of maturity is required in order to optimize the success to recognize …and… to respond instantly to the move (nudge) of the Lord. It is what I strive to master and attain, sincerely.
Response Time Is Everything!
The unction helps us to know with a quickness which imaginations and high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God (to cast down), and how to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:5. Wow!
Still and again, our level of maturity will be the basis of how well we recognize and respond to the unction (nudge) in a timely manner. So, it doesn’t matter what level of maturity a person is in to the unction — if their response time is off they will miss the Lord’s instruction in the moment.
Sobriety Is Everything!
This is where the challenge dwells at casting down the high thing because it (our intellect) will try to substitute obedience with to seek its own glory. In other words, “I got this” will be the perspective. Be aware of the interference of the high thing … and be ready to revenge your own intellect (the high thing) obediently, so that you can respond promptly when you recognize the nudge from the Lord. Please be mindful to know that, we must live soberly so that we can recognize and respond without hesitation to the nudge. Remember that….
However, the lower the maturity level the less likely one will be to succeed from the unction, and the more likely the high thing will have free course to glorify itself.
Maturity Is Everything!
Let us grow (and continue to grow) in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can fight the good fight of faith; overcome false prophets, the world, the wicked one, and our flesh. If we continue in these things, we will be able to put on the whole armor of God and stand against the wiles of the devil; we will know how to stand having our loins girt about with truth; and so much more….
If we respond soberly, timely and maturely to the unction, the Lord will be glorified, and we will be strengthened to discern and perceive all things in Him!
In Christ We Do Remain
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