Lesson (vol.27)
The Oil of Gladness

 

 

"Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(Ps 45:7) There are many mentions in the Bible about oil and how it has been significant throughout history. In the Old Testament prophets would "anoint" with oil a king or judge in a demonstration of God's acceptance of them to their new position. And without this anointing with oil the king, judge or ruler was not considered recognized as being chosen of God and would be shunned.

In the opening chapter of the 25th book of Mathew (verses 1-12) Jesus gives the parable of the ten virgins. The ones that were wise had the oil and the foolish did not, insomuch that in the end He says to them, " But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not."(vs 12) The Biblical word "know" used here means the same as it does in the book of Genesis when it speaks of Adam "knew" Eve; he made love to her. So in this parable Jesus is saying that even though some of the virgins had candles (the Bible) that they didn't have "the oil", the right spiritual attitute about a personal relationship with Him, and as such they never made spiritual love with Him, they never had a personal intimate relationship with their Creator. Jesus, Who is The Word (Jn 1:14) wants there to be a very personal and intimate relationship between Himself and His children.

We are to have a personally intimate relationship with The Word (the Bible) and let it's truth and love fill our hearts and minds in order for us to bear fruit unto the kingdom of God." Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. "(Jn 15:8), Jesus said. There are a lot of people running around saying that they know "about" the Lord, but how many actually "know" Him; how many are intimate with Him through His Word?

It is not enough to know Bible verses and be able to rattle them off from memory to fit a situation if those verses are not coming from an inspired heart, a heart that is anointed with the oil, the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus does want you to know about Him, but He would much rather you know Him personally. "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."(2Cor 3:6) It is the anointing of the oil of the spirit that brings life, not the dead spouting off of Scripture just to prove how "spiritual" you are. One word, one verse spoken by the inspiration of God will carry more weight and have a longer lasting effect in the hearts of the hearers than a whole day's worth of endless and spiritless Bible quotes. "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"(Pro 15:23)

How can you recognize if what you are hearing or saying is anointed with the oil ? It will be carried on a spirit of love ! Jesus said, " By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."(Jn 13:35) That is the thing that differentiates God's anointed children from people who claim to know God and then only rattle off uninspired, uncaring, impersonal diatribes calling for you to repent from your sins ect... While it is true that repentance, or being sorry for not having been as loving as we could have been, is an important element, it is also just as important to convey that in a loving and caring way rather than in a condemning and judgemental way. We are all sinners, the Bible says, and we have all come short of God's perfection, therefore it only stands to right that when we come to others that it be in a spirit of love and caring, and not in a hollier-than-thou, I am better than you are attitude. You are not better, you are just forgiven. Go pour the oil of the love of God's spirit out today ! Find a heart that needs love, and let God show you how to fulfill that need.

May God bless you with His Love, Peace and Truth.

 

 

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