We often hear the phrase that God does not look for our ability but for our availability. This is 100% percent true. However, it is only half the story. The other half is that when we surrender ourselves to Him, He puts into us His ability to do His work. We are co-labors with Him; without Him we can do nothing. The impartation of His ability into our lives to do His work is called ‘the anointing’.
All through the Bible we read about God calling and anointing people to do his work. Aaron and his sons were anointed to the priesthood (Exodus 30:30; Leviticus 8:12). Moses had an anointing of God’s Spirit upon him (Numbers 11:17). Joshua had the anointing imparted upon him through the laying on of hands (Deuteronomy 34:9). Saul was anointed to be king (1 Samuel 10:1). David was anointed to be king (1 Samuel 16:13). Jesus was anointed to manifest His Messiahship (Acts 10:38) and sonship.
A study of each man of God in the Bible would reveal very clearly that God expects every one He uses to receive of His anointing whether the work is that of a workman like Bezaleel, a deacon’s ministry in the church or an apostle like Paul (Exodus 31:2,3; Acts 6:3; 2 Corinthians 1:21).
On the other hand, every work done by men without the anointing has been rejected by God. Saul, who was anointed only as a king, was rejected by God when he offered the burnt offering because he was not anointed as a priest (1 Samuel 13:9-14). King Uzziah also tried to be a priest and judgement fell on him because he did not carry the priestly anointing (2 Chronicles 26:18).
THE ANOINTIG IS PRECIOUS AND HOLY
The anointing that God puts on His bondservants is such a precious service that God expects total dedication from His vessel before He puts it upon them. Aaron was told that the anointing he received was so holy that he could not leave the tabernacle for seven days or he would die (Leviticus 8:33-35). When a sad event happened in his family, he was not even allowed to cry! (Leviticus 10:6). The anointing is holy!
Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, died because they offered strange fire (Leviticus 10:1, 2). It probably had something to do with their drunken conduct because immediately after that God warned Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or intoxicating drink (Leviticus 10:9).
The anointing that God places on His vessels is so holy that God warned others against touching His anointed ones (1 Chronicles 16:22). God takes no pleasure in those who disrespect His anointing upon His vessels. Miriam learnt it the hard way (Numbers 12:1-10). It is one sure way of grieving the Spirit.
God watches closely over His bondservants because of His imparted interest upon them – the anointing of the Holy Spirit, a most precious substance and holy heavenly service.
THE ANOINTIG IS PRECIOUS AND HOLY
The anointing that God puts on His bondservants is such a precious service that God expects total dedication from His vessel before He puts it upon them. Aaron was told that the anointing he received was so holy that he could not leave the tabernacle for seven days or he would die (Leviticus 8:33-35). When a sad event happened in his family, he was not even allowed to cry! (Leviticus 10:6). The anointing is holy!
Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, died because they offered strange fire (Leviticus 10:1, 2). It probably had something to do with their drunken conduct because immediately after that God warned Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or intoxicating drink (Leviticus 10:9).
The anointing that God places on His vessels is so holy that God warned others against touching His anointed ones (1 Chronicles 16:22). God takes no pleasure in those who disrespect His anointing upon His vessels. Miriam learnt it the hard way (Numbers 12:1-10). It is one sure way of grieving the Spirit.
God watches closely over His bondservants because of His imparted interest upon them – the anointing of the Holy Spirit, a most precious substance and holy heavenly service.
THE ANOINTIG IS PRECIOUS AND HOLY
The anointing that God puts on His bondservants is such a precious service that God expects total dedication from His vessel before He puts it upon them. Aaron was told that the anointing he received was so holy that he could not leave the tabernacle for seven days or he would die (Leviticus 8:33-35). When a sad event happened in his family, he was not even allowed to cry! (Leviticus 10:6). The anointing is holy!
Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, died because they offered strange fire (Leviticus 10:1, 2). It probably had something to do with their drunken conduct because immediately after that God warned Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or intoxicating drink (Leviticus 10:9).
The anointing that God places on His vessels is so holy that God warned others against touching His anointed ones (1 Chronicles 16:22). God takes no pleasure in those who disrespect His anointing upon His vessels. Miriam learnt it the hard way (Numbers 12:1-10). It is one sure way of grieving the Spirit.
God watches closely over His bondservants because of His imparted interest upon them – the anointing of the Holy Spirit, a most precious substance and holy heavenly service.
THE ANOINING PRPODUCES POWER AND CONVICTION
Jesus Himself told the Jews that if He did not do the works He did among them, they were not obligated to believe in Him (John 10:37). However, having seen the works He did, He told them that at least they should believe in Him because of the works (John 10:38).
To His own disciples, Jesus said that if they had difficulty believing in His union with the Father, they still should do it for the sake of the works themselves (John 14:11). How important the works of Jesus were in His ministry! And to think that all His works resulted from His being anointed by the Father! (Acts 10:38). Surely, the anointing is an important factor to consider!
The anointing of the Holy Spirit always produces power. The word ‘power’ which is associated with the anointing comes from the Greek word ‘dunamis’ which means ‘ability’. God’s ability is imparted through the anointing. Therefore, we conclude by defining the anointing as the enablement or impartation of God’s ability upon an available and yielded vessel to fulfil and carry out His will and His work. This enablement and impartation will help those who have received it to do supernatural work even though they remain natural beings.
The anointing in itself is of a heavenly materiality. It is a spiritual substance which inherently contains God’s power. Like electricity it can be stored. The anointing in Paul’s hands was transmitted and stored in handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts 19:11, 12). Elisha’s anointing was still stored in his dead bones. There was enough stored power to raise a man from the dead (2 Kings 13:21). It can be transferred and imparted through the laying on of hands or cloth (Deuteronomy 34:9; 2 Timothy 1:6; 2 Kings 2:13, 14).
The subject of transferring and transmitting the anointing is essential to furthering the kingdom in the earth.
Like Paul we can say that we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the power may be of God and not of ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7).