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An article on charismatic gifts might seem out of place in this issue dedicated to grace (and truth). The connection between the two, however, could not be stronger. The phrase “charismatic gift” is often misused in the religious world today. “Charismatic” is simply a transliteration derived from the Greek word “charisma,” a word based on “charis,” meaning “grace.” Charisma is a manifestation of God’s grace, a concrete blessing that we receive through the generosity of God. We might translate it as a “gift of grace.”
Let’s take a brief look at the biblical meaning of charismatic gifts (charismata) and examine what they might mean for us. Of the 17 occurrences of charisma in the New Testament, 16 are found in Paul’s letters. The foundational “gift of grace” is in Romans 6:23. Here, Paul compares our just deserves (death) with God’s free gift of grace to us (eternal life). This is one “charismatic gift” that we all want!
A longer discussion of these “gifts of grace” transpires in 1 Corinthians 12-14. In addition to the gift of salvation, God bestows other concrete demonstrations of his grace; namely, gifts that enable us to serve the church.
Paul responds to some of the Christians who seem to love certain flashy manifestations of God’s Spirit that make them “feel good.” While Paul includes their favorite gifts in the list with other charismatic gifts, he is quick to point out that gifts are not for individual glory or gain. “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). God does not gift you for your own good. He expects you to be a conduit for bringing his grace into the lives of others!
Gifts of God’s grace are for everyone to share and they may appear and disappear as the Spirit decides. “All these [gifts] are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses” (1 Cor 12:11). I find it unbiblical for people to say, “That’s just not my gift,” as an excuse for not doing something for the church. None of the gifts of grace are our gifts. They all belong to God’s Spirit and are given out as God sees fit.
Gifts are not concentrated on a single person (or on a few “chosen ones”); rather they are spread out over the whole body. Aside from salvation, not every person has the same gift, for “we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (Rom. 12:6). Believers should be able to accept and understand their personal gift(s) and use them to create an atmosphere where God’s grace can truly make a difference and change lives. When God’s grace is truly released to work in a group of believers, people receive the necessary preparation for living lives of service in the Kingdom of God. The phrase “priesthood of believers” cannot become a reality until the gifts of grace are accepted and used to the glory of God, for ALL of us have important functions within the body of Christ.
As we seek to be recipients of God’s grace and his gifts of grace, let us also be channels for his grace coming into the lives of others.
Jason Locke served as Student Director of the University Christian Student Center at Tennessee Tech University while completing his B.S. Mechanical Engineering (1989). Then was a missionary to Prague, Czech Republic before returning to the U.S. to marry Julie Anderson (1992) and to complete a M.S. in Missions and an M. Div. from ACU. Since 2001, Jason has served as campus minister to West Virginia University (Mountaineers for Christ), in Morgantown, WV. He also serves on the Campus CrossWalk board as directory and news editor.
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