1 John 2:20 But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. I. WHAT THE ANOINTING IS. II. WHERE THIS ANOINTING IS. It "abideth." Other anointings do not abide. The fragrance of other unguents soon passes off. But here is an anointing which, like "the ointment of the right hand, which bewrayeth itself," abideth, "abideth in you." But you say it is not true; nothing is more plain than that ardent Christians get cold, and those who lived Christ may grow self-willed and self-assertive. How can St. John say that the unction abideth? Well, I suppose he wants to call attention to the Divine side of the case, to show us that whatever we may do, or whatever we may be, God remaineth faithful. III. "WHAT DOTH THE ANOINTING?" He teacheth, and, saith St. John, He has every right to teach, for "He is truth and no lie." Besides, "He hath already taught you," and what you have learned of Him should give you confidence in Him for what you may have yet to learn. Read your Bibles, but read them in His light; listen to your teachers, but listen to them with continual application to a higher Teacher. It is to that higher Teacher you owe the greatest blessing you ever received in the world, the blessing which made you a Christian. Remember to trust to Him as Guide and Counsellor, to ask Him what to believe on every subject. IV. WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF ALL THIS? It is, "Ye shall abide in Him." (J. B. Figgis, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.WEB: You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. |
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