Advantages Of Godly Anointing

ADVANTAGES OF GODLY ANOINTING

BY ZACCH I. OLORUNNIPA

Primary Text: Isaiah 61:1-3, Acts 1: 5, 8; Acts 10:38; 2 Cor. 1:21, Psa 89:20

Introduction: One of the greatest spiritual gifts from God for every believer and follower of Jesus Christ is the anointing (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13, James 1:17). The dictionary defines anointing as smearing or rubbing with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony. The anointing of Saul as the first King of Israel and that of David as a subsequent replacement of Saul are examples of the physical use of oil in the anointing. Godly anointing may not always involve smearing or rubbing any physical substance on the anointed, it can also be done by God in His own chosen supernatural ways such as through the Holy Spirit. Examples of conveyors of the anointing via the Holy Spirit are Jesus Christ, Messiah (Anointed One), and the Apostles (see Acts 1:8; 10:38). In this ministration, Godly anointing connotes Spiritual dispensation from God on a person to consecrate, empower and set that person apart to accomplish a specific task(s). Godly anointing carries numerous advantages that can be available to the anointed. Seven of these advantages discussed in this ministration are with respect to Salvation, Service, Sanctification, Strength, Security, Severance from captivity, and Success in all things. The focus is on how these factors can enhance the believer’s journey of faith.

#1 SALVATION

The journey of Faith for a potential believer in Jesus Christ begins with the salvation of that person. Salvation is made possible by confessing one’s sins and asking for forgiveness and grace of God (Rom 3:23;10: 9-10; Eph 2:8; I John 1:8-9. Salvation is a gift from God accompanied by God’s anointing to seal the salvation of the saved. The following scriptures allude to the intertwined connection between salvation and anointing:

(a) “Now I know that the Lord saves His [a]anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand” (Psalm 20:6, NKJV).

(b) “You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one.

You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot.” Habakkuk 3:13: (NIV)

When Jesus Christ, the anointed one, saves anyone He imparts anointing to that person such that he/she also becomes anointed and empowered to be a vessel through who Jesus can save other souls. Thus, anointing is advantageous to the saved as the life of that person is sealed and enhanced by the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul alludes to this fact in his letter to some believers in Jesus Christ in Ephesus: “In Him, you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).

#2 SERVICE

Another important advantage of anointing is to empower the carrier to render valuable services unto God. One of the early uses of the term “anoint” or “anointing” has to do with the provision of ministerial services by selected priests for God’s house (The Temple). In this regard, God specifically directed Moses to anoint Aaron and His children, “..that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” (Exodus 40:15). In the New Testament, we also see the tremendous advantage of the anointing in the services rendered by Jesus Christ as the following scripture indicates: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38). Every believer and follower of Jesus Christ is potentially equipped with the anointing to do works akin to that of Jesus. In fact, Jesus Himself was generous enough to promise us that we shall do greater works than He did (John 14:12). As a believer and a carrier of Godly anointing you are equipped to do excellent works. That is why in everything we do we must prayerfully strive for excellence and not mediocrity. Remember you are the anointed child of God and the Bible says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col. 3:17). May fresh anointing of God enhance your service unto God in worship, winning soul and in doing other good works as Jesus Christ did.

# 3 SANCTIFICATION AND CONSECRATION

Sanctification and consecration are very similar in meaning as the dictionary defines them respectively as: “to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate” and for consecration, “the act of consecrating; dedication to the service and worship of a deity”. Godly anointing plays a vital role in both the sanctification and consecration of persons and/or property. For example, God told Moses to prepare some special dressing and garments for Aaron and his sons with the following additional instruction, “So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests”. (Exo 28: 41). Furthermore, when Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, the Bible says, “… he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them” (Num. 7:1).