{"id":1521,"date":"2016-03-20T01:16:42","date_gmt":"2016-03-20T05:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bornofspirit.net\/?p=1521"},"modified":"2017-01-20T00:56:04","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T05:56:04","slug":"charismata-grace-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bornofspirit.net\/here\/charismata-grace-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"Charismata – Grace Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"

“CHARIS” is a word in the original Greek language of the New Testament. \u00a0It is often translated as grace, kindness, favour, blessing, etc.<\/p>\n

It means “unmerited favor.” \u00a0It means “goodwill that is not deserved.”\u00a0 It means “something very good given to someone who is undeserving.”<\/p>\n

If it is deserved in any way, it is not CHARIS.\u00a0 If there is anything that you can do earn it, it is not CHARIS.\u00a0 By definition, in order to be an eligible recipient of CHARIS, you have to be undeserving.\u00a0 If you do not deserve it, then that actually makes you eligible to receive it.<\/p>\n

CHARIS is a very general term. \u00a0When a Greek speaker needed to describe a specific instance of CHARIS, the Greek word is “CHARISMA” would be used.\u00a0 This is often translated “gift” in the Bible.\u00a0 This is unmerited favor, or grace, made specific. \u00a0It is an undeserved gift. \u00a0If there is any part of it that is deserved, then it is not a CHARISMA.<\/p>\n

Now if you want to make this word plural, you add “TA” to the end and you end up with “CHARISMATA.”\u00a0 CHARISMATA means “free, undeserved gifts.”<\/p>\n

That brings us to our passage in 1 Corinthians where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed:<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 12:4-11<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are diversities of\u00a0gifts (CHARISMATA)<\/span><\/strong>, but the same Spirit.<\/p>\n

There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.<\/p>\n

And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.<\/p>\n

But the\u00a0manifestation of the Spirit\u00a0is given to each one for the profit of all:<\/p>\n

for to one is given the\u00a0word of wisdom\u00a0through the Spirit, to another the\u00a0word of knowledge\u00a0through the same Spirit,<\/p>\n

to another\u00a0faith\u00a0by the same Spirit, to another\u00a0gifts of healings\u00a0by the same Spirit,<\/p>\n

to another the\u00a0working of miracles, to another\u00a0prophecy, to another\u00a0discerning of spirits, to another\u00a0different kinds of tongues, to another the\u00a0interpretation of tongues.<\/p>\n

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These nine\u00a0manifestations of the Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0are gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people that don’t deserve them. \u00a0There is no requirement on anyone to receive them. \u00a0If there are requirements, then they aren’t CHARISMATA. \u00a0If you have to attain a certain level of maturity or holiness in order to receive them, then they would be called rewards instead of gifts.<\/p>\n

But the word that is used here is CHARISMATA…free gifts that are not deserved in any way.<\/p>\n

To bring this point out more clearly, consider the context of the passage that was quoted above. \u00a0It comes from a letter (1 Corinthians) that was written to a group of Christians in the city of Corinth. \u00a0In this letter they are being corrected for things that would make many of today’s believers blush. \u00a0Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n