Unity Is Essential

The anointing of God will not flow unless we are in fellowship with God and his people.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore" (Psalm 133:1-3).

We must be diligent to keep the anointing. It is a continual struggle to keep it while in ministry because it is easily lost. Prayerlessness, distraction, lack of discernment, and similar problems can cause one to lose the anointing. To keep it strong you must be in fellowship with the Lord and his church.

Separation from God's people is dangerous, as the following scripture passage affirms: "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, recieveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 9-11)

We see from this passage that Diotrephes:

1. wanted preeminence. He wanted to be number one.
   
2. would not receive counsel from the apostles.
   
3. attacked the apostles publicly.
   
4. was not content or in harmony with anyone.
   
5. did not fellowship with other believers.
   
6. forbade fellowship.
   
7. cast out those who challenged him.

Do not be like this man. Instead, be one with the body of Christ. Do not trust anyone who demands separation from the body of Christ.

God Does Not Anoint Flesh

God only anoints those who walk in the Sprit-those who have crucified the flesh and its deeds. Only the garments-life in Christ-is anointed. The human flesh is not anointed, as the verses below attest.

1. "Upon man's flesh shall it not be pouted, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you" (Exodus 30.32).

2. "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour" (II Timothy2.20, 21)

Without the anointing there will not be lasting fruit or results. Only anointed ministries have futures.

The success of a ministry is dependant upon the anointing; without it there will be no fruits or results and that ministry will be dead and lifeless.

The Anointing and the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom run by spiritual principles and spiritual power: "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (I Corinthians 4.20).

• It is not "how-to's"
  
• It is not head knowledge
  
• It is dependant upon the Holy Spirit and his Power

These are powerful times in which we live. Sin abounds, but grace does much more abound. Millions of people, unhappily, are charging in the opposite direction from God. Society is in a shambles. Our young people are suffering. But other millions are hungry for God and want to line up with Him and serve Him. I trust that you are in that later group, and I pray that as you go forward you will go forward in the power of the Holy Spirit, in His precious anointing that is for all of God's people.