“These things I have written to you concerning those
who try to deceive you. But the anointing
which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone
teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things,
and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in
Him.” (1 John 2:26-27 NKJV)
Why was the letter written by the hand of Apostle
John? John says that there are many antichrists to try to deceive the saints
and lead astray. This is the age of confusion, deception, and darkness. By all
means, the antichrists try to lead astray the elect. The lie they appeal is
that humans can resolve all the problems in humanity in the matter of time and money
based on humanism.
The elect have been attacked from all directions throughout
the centuries. The devil uses two tactics in attacking the elect, either seduction
by masquerade or violence, or both. The devil appeared to the woman in the
Garden as a shining one and deceived her. Apostle Peter warns the elect of the
devil who is looking for preys to devour like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).
Despite the colorful enticement and relentlessly
vicious and malevolent harms against the elect, why have they been standing
firm and immovable centuries after centuries? It is not possible that they have
been standing on their own might and strength. The devil is craftier and more
cunning than any other creatures (Genesis 3:1).
Then, what is it that they stand firm in the midst
of countless wolves and their temptations? John answers for us. It is the anointing
whom they have received from God. Christ Jesus the Lord abides in them. That is
why. The strength and might to stand firm to the end come directly from the Lord
Jesus Christ, the anointing of God. Eugene Peterson renders beautifully how the
elect are blessed and protected by the power of Jesus Christ the Lord of all.
“I’ve written to warn you about those who are trying
to deceive you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within
you—Christ’s anointing, no less!” (1 John 2:26 MSG)
The lure and violent attack of the father of lie is
not in the league with the protection and strength of Jesus Christ the Lord of
heavens and the earth. Jesus Christ is incomparably stronger than the enemy
number one and the last one, the devil. “No one can enter a strong man’s house
and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will
plunder his house.” (Mark 3:27)
Jesus explained why and how He could expel the
demons in the Gospel of Luke because some accused Him that He drove out demons
by the hands of Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. Jesus says that the kingdom of God has come
upon anyone when He drove out the demons by the finger of God. Here is the full
text.
“And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So
it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes
marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by
Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” Others, testing Him, sought
from Him a sign from heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against
a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself,
how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And
if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?
Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the
finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong
man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when
a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his
armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me
is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Luke 11:14-23
NKJV)
Coming back to John’s exposition what is happening
in the elect, we find one of the most astounding truths in the scriptures.
“But the anointing which you have received from
Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same
anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a
lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (1 John 2:27 NKJV)
The elect do not need anyone to teach because the
anointing teaches concerning all things. What the anointing teaches is true,
and is not a lie. He is the truth, the way, and the life forever and ever more.
It is not right if you read it as if you don’t need anyone to teach about the
truth like listening to sermons or going to Sunday school.
Again, Eugene Peterson renders it this way. “You
don’t need any of their so-called teaching. Christ’s anointing teaches you the
truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by
a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.” (2 John 2:27 MSG)
The elect have the inner Teacher who is always
available and willing to give the uncontaminated and unadulterated answers by a
single line about life, eternal life, the real life. That is the good news!
That is the gospel to all who believes in Him. Therefore, we live now and
forevermore just as we have been taught by letting the anointing abide in us!
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