Anointing

"God in flesh doing those things that which flesh cannot do."

The anointing is God's divine power working through us, enabling us to accomplish tasks beyond human capability. It's God doing what only He can do, through vessels like you and me (2 Corinthians 4:7). In the Old Testament, anointing meant to pour on, rub into, or smear all over. Those anointed by God were marked with oil as a symbol of their divine calling and empowerment. To be anointed by God is not just to be chosen, but also to be empowered for the task or position He has called you to. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" both mean "the Anointed One." Anointing was a sign of Israel's coming redeemer. Isaiah, looking forward by the Spirit of God, saw the Anointed One who would break the yoke of Satan's oppression (Isaiah 10:27). This yoke would be destroyed—rendered useless for Satan. When Jesus read from Isaiah's prophecy, He declared, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me" (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim deliverance to the captives, and give sight to the blind. He came to set free those who are oppressed. The early church initially misunderstood the significance of this anointing. When Peter preached the gospel to the Gentiles for the first time, he emphasized how "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38-39). The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit, and this same anointing is available to us for our earthly ministries. The word "Christ" is not just another name for Jesus; it signifies the anointing on Him and in Him. Similarly, the term "Christians" means "the anointed ones." The same yoke-destroying anointing that was on Jesus is available to us. 1 John 2:27 teaches us to abide in the Anointed One and His anointing. Being in Christ means being in the anointing. Whenever you read "Christ" in the Bible, think of it as "The Anointed One and His Anointing." This understanding can transform your life. In Christ, there is an anointing for everything you are called to do, no matter how small or great the task. Paul the Apostle said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). He was referring to the anointing—the divine empowerment. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper in every aspect of your life. As believers, we are anointed because we are in Christ, the Anointed One.