2 January 2017 - the anointing

Gregory and Basil with bonus John Chrsysostom.

[ Today's Readings ]

Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. 

We have been given the great gift of truth. It is vital to hold on to this truth. Just knowing it is insufficient. But if we live the truth we have from the beginning we can be sure that we "remain in the Son and in the Father." To live the truth requires the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The truth we have is not simply ideas. We have the truth about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have an anointing to share in the relationship of the Father and the Son by the Spirit's power. To simply know about this not the same. When we live it the Spirit within us convicts us of our sins, guides us, and makes us cry out 'Abba, Father!'

We have this truth from the beginning. That means we have enough truth and enough anointing for any circumstance we encounter today. When we begin to get anxious or worried isn't it because we don't think we're equipped to handle a given circumstance? Well, we are equipped. If we feel overwhelmed, let us turn back to the sources of truth.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (see Second Timothy 3:16-17).

if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth (see First Timothy 3:15).

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter (see Second Thessalonians 2:15).

These sources serve to remind us who God is and who we are in him. The Holy Spirit compels and empowers us to live in accordance with the truth. Our biggest problem is often that we make things too much about ourselves and our own ability. Rather, like John the Baptist, we need to decrease even within our own lives in order that God may increase.

"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." 

The truth sets us free. The anointing itself is the experience of this freedom. So let us cling to what we have heard from the beginning. Let us revisit it again and again as necessary so that the Spirit can work through it. He wants to bring the letters of the truth to life so as to deepen our union with God and to bring us to eternal life.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.