1 John 2:20-22

Christians Are Anointed

Those who were to be kings were anointed, thus showing God had elevated them to a higher position (1 Samuel 10:10). The Christians to whom John wrote had been similarly elevated by Jesus Christ. The symbol of the sonship relationship to the Father is the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13-16; Acts 2:38). All who obey the truth are promised this gift and none can claim to have a greater position in this plan of salvation (1 John 2:20).

John wrote to those who knew the truth, which under the new law of Christ would include all who are in the kingdom (Jeremiah 31:31-34). They would recognize anything that was not of the gospel and should know it was a lie. The particular lie John dealt with here was a denial of Jesus as the Christ. Those who would question the truth of God coming in the flesh actually deny Jesus as the Christ, God's Son. In so doing, they deny the Father who testified to his Sonship and was one with Him in purpose (Matthew 17:5; John 5:23; John 14:8-11). The anti- Christs of whom John wrote taught this lie (1 John 2:21-22).

Anyone who refuses to confess Christ as God's Son has burned his bridge to the Father. By denying God's Son, he has destroyed his relationship with both the Son and his Father (1 John 2:23; John 14:6; Matthew 10:32-33).