As long as you abide in Christ, he will abide in you, and this is the definition of eternal life. This life hid in Christ begins when you receive the Holy Spirit as the anointing and God anoints your head with oil to become an adopted son of God through the blood of his only begotten Son.
This perspective beautifully aligns with biblical truths about abiding in Christ, eternal life, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Let’s break it down with scriptural support:
1. Abiding in Christ Leads to Eternal Life
- Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me” (John 15:4).
- Eternal life is explicitly defined by Jesus: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Abiding in Christ means maintaining a continual relationship with Him, which leads to the fullness of life in God’s presence.
2. Receiving the Holy Spirit as the Anointing
- The Holy Spirit is described as the anointing that teaches and confirms our relationship with God: “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth… the anointing you received from him remains in you” (1 John 2:20, 27).
- This anointing signifies our adoption as God’s children: “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15).
3. Adopted Sons through Christ’s Blood
- Through Christ’s sacrifice, believers are reconciled and adopted into God’s family: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5).
- This adoption is sealed by the Spirit, making us heirs: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17).
4. The Symbolism of Anointing with Oil
- Anointing with oil often signifies God’s blessing and consecration. “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5).
- This represents the spiritual empowerment believers receive through the Holy Spirit: “It is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us” (2 Corinthians 1:21).
In conclusion, abiding in Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of eternal life. It brings believers into a relationship with God as adopted sons and daughters, empowered to live in His presence and bear spiritual fruit. This life, hidden in Christ, is the essence of salvation and fellowship with God.