Are you charismatic? I’m not asking what you believe or practice as a Christian, rather I’m thinking of people who are said to have charisma, which is often a description of politicians or various leaders who attract or inspire people. The words charisma and charismatic are often misused from the original meaning of the root word, “charis,” which means “grace,” or going farther in the depth of the word grace, you find “an unmerited gift or favor”
Colossians 3:16 (KJV) — 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 (ESV) — 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
As you compare the two scriptures above, both translations from the word “charisma,” you will see in the KJV the words, “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” and in the ESV, “with thankfulness in our hearts to God.” To be charismatic then would mean to be filled with gratitude for the grace that God has given to you. That concept of beholding the multitude of God’s blessing focuses upon the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, to behold the multitude of blessings in Christ makes us grateful, and in turn leads us to be quite charismatic, as in demonstrating grace, which in turn is quite the attraction and inspiration to those around us. Consider this:
The old description of grace is true, “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Consider the Scripture above. The Lord Jesus Christ is the reason for all grace as God views us through Him. Although He was rich in heaven, He came to earth to redeem His people from their sins. Becoming sin for us, the one Who knew no sin, He became the righteousness for all that believe. Can you think of any greater gift than that?
2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV) — 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) — 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) — 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Everything you have is because of the Lord Jesus Christ and everything we enjoy is due to Him. No wonder He is called the one mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5–6 (ESV) — 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
John 1:14 (ESV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:16 (ESV) — 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
When you think of someone exemplifying grace, it’s the Lord Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth and from whom we have received grace upon grace. He is the ultimate charismatic person who bestows gifts (grace) upon us, inspires us, and draws us together in the church. He even makes the way possible to come near the throne of grace to find help from God.
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) — 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The thought of grace doesn’t stop when we think of salvation. As a matter of fact, we are reminded to remember that there is nothing we have but that which has been given to us.
1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) — 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
How does God provide or grace us? Abundantly!
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) — 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
When Paul considered his unworthiness, he realized that God had taken him from the depths to a life in the Lord Jesus Christ, which caused him to work really hard, but even that was simply the flow of grace in his life.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV) — 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Grace from start to finish, that’s what we see and admire in the word of God. To see that glorious truth is one thing, but to be changed by grace is another thing altogether. If God’s charisma has made a difference in our lives, then it will be demonstrated.
Colossians 4:6 (ESV) — 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
There is the draw to be charismatic or filled with gratitude or charisma because we have received so much at the hands of God. Do you see where we are going on this venture into grace? If we really understand the way that God has blessed us in salvation and the way He takes care of us day after day, then we’ll live with passionate gratitude which will attract and inspire other people. We will be truly charismatic.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak Podcast wherever you download podcasts or from the website: www.bobbrubaker.com
