I Peter 4:10-11
"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." (v. 10)
The word "gift" in this verse comes from the Greek word charisma, which means "a (divine) gratuity; deliverance (from danger or passion); (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment...(subjectively) religious qualification; or (objectively) miraculous faculty." How fascinating and moving to my spirit! This word, charisma, is where we obtain the derivative "charismatic", which is known to receive an unfavorable response in some religious congregations. I propose that if we were to view the charismatic through the filter of its true meaning, it describes the Christian who has God's divine grace and deliverance upon his or her life and who has been qualified by God to fulfill specific tasks through Spirit-endowed and apportioned abilities. Wouldn't...and shouldn't...we all desire to be "charismatic" with this knowledge of the word "gift" in this verse? Further, the fulfillment of our gifts are diverse and fitted to the exact person, the exact moment, the exact need...
"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." (v. 11)
When we serve others, we are simply meeting them at the point of their need by the power and authority that God provides. "Provides" in this Scripture -- "gives" in the KJV -- is a beautiful picture of God's graciousness towards us. The transliteration of "gives" is chorēgeō, meaning "to be a dance leader...to furnish...to procure and supply all things necessary to fit out a chorus." Taking hold of this image sends such a quickening through my spirit and takes my breath: When we own and use the gifts God provides us, we are spiritually dancing before the dance leader. Our service to others in sharing the Gospel, teaching, ministering, and interceding with prayer (just to name a few gifts) is a spiritual chorus to the ears of our Conductor. He truly is the choreographer and conductor of my life and the life of every other Believer. This, my friends, is a praise to God through Jesus Christ...to Whom is given all the glory and power for ever and ever...
Amen and amen!
Loving my Lord ~~
Tammy
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