THE ANOINTING TEST, NO. 2

Men, our children need to know that their father is in touch with God. They need to know that their father seeks God. They need to know that he is a godly man, a man who relies on the wisdom of God. They need to know that their father prays for them. They need to see and know that God is with their father. They also need to know that he is not just a religious man who has "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" ( 2 Timothy 3:5).

Jesus said in Acts 1:18: "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The anointing is something we must sincerely respect because it is all about divine enabling to fulfill whatever call to leadership God gives us. We can be ordinary fathers or we can be extraordinary fathers.

Jesus Christ was the most anointed man that ever walked this earth. Colossians 2:9, 10 says, "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."

In Colossians 2:3 we read: "In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." All this wisdom is potentially ours. However, we must ask God for specific wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Some think that because we are "in Christ," there is no need for any personal appropriation of anointing. However, just as we need to seek God for wisdom, so we need to seek Him for His anointing and power to flow through us. The disciples understood this more after they experienced the anointing power of the Holy Spirit empowering them to be effective witnesses (Acts 2:4).

Oh how this nation and world needs anointed fathers who will raise up anointed sons and daughters. Natural fatherhood can only go so far. In these days of great temptations, we most certainly need more of what the early church fathers experienced.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell