the apostolic anointing of love

apostle: meaning one who is sent. someone who is commissioned and sent to perform a specific task. it is generally accepted that an apostle has more gifts than a disciple or a "spectator" christian. the truth, however, is that an apostle flows in the gifts he/she has where a disciple is still learning about their gifts and learning how to use them.

anointing: meaning the manifest power of God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit in a person or event.

love: "love is patient, love is kind it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. it always protects, always perseveres. love never fails...now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. the greatest of these is love." (1 cor. 13:4-8,13)

so what, then is the apostolic anointing of love? it is the manifest power of God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit in the life of one who is sent to love.

but why love? the anointing of love is the super-natural power to love in any situation. regardless of the person or the situation. in spite of the person or the situation, but not to spite the person or situation. love that is objective and not subjective. apostolic love should reflect 1 cor. 13. prior to the apostolic period, Jesus taught the disciples about love. teachings that were imperative to remember when he commissioned and called them as apostles to do his work.

among those teachings are the following selections: matthew 5:43-48 "you have heard that it was said, `love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' but I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? are not even the tax collectors doing that? and if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? do not even pagans do that? be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

luke 6:27-35 "but I tell you who hear me: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. if someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. if someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. do to others as you would have them do to you. "if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even `sinners' love those who love them. and if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? even `sinners' do that. and if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? even `sinners' lend to `sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. but love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

in luke 11: 37-43, Jesus actually chastens the pharisees for not having love and compassion. in the beginning of the apostolic period (which, by the way, has never come to an end) paul writes of apostolic love in romans 12:9-13 and 13:8-10, as well as in his letters to the church at corinth. it is important to note that the "love chapter" is found between two chapters describing other spiritual gifts given to believers; apostles and disciples alike as well as to "spectators." the reason for this is stated at the beginning of chapter 13. to paraphrase, "i can have all the evidences of the gifts, but if i don't have love, i am nothing."

peter, james and the other apostles also wrote of apostolic love in their writings. 1 peter 4:7-11 addresses, specifically, the apostolic anointing of love. "the end of all things is near, therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. to Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. amen."

we are all sent to love. Jesus prayed for unity, not conformity. love has the power to unite, it does not pressure one into conformity. we will begin to see greater power, a greater outpouring of His Spirit, a greater spiritual renewal when we begin to move in the apostolic anointing of love.

for the world-wide renown of His sovereign glory...