Charisma in the life of the church

     In Greek, the word charisma is rooted from the word "charisma" which means grace. Therefore in this Indonesian Bible translated into his charisma, which means giving the gift that God gives is not because we are entitled to receive it but because God's generosity. There was a question "to whom God gave the charisma?" God gives such charisma to every believer, without exception. What exactly is charisma? Charisma is assorted gifts. Therefore the word "charisma" in the Bible is always used in plural form with the word "charisma". We Christians have always believed that God certainly has given his Spirit that causes us to believe. 

     The Holy Spirit is always moving our hearts to keep believing. We always come out and confess that the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world through the charisma of the Spirit (read in 1 Corinthians 12:3). The word charisma in Christian belief as well understood as the Spirit of God who works in various ways to the believer and the world as a whole. In other words God gave a variety of different gift to mankind. Different gifts are given by God to every human and from era to era. There are several sections in the Bible who wrote about his charisma, for example, we read in Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 7, 12, 13, 14, Ephesians 3, 4 and 1 Peter 4. 

     In general, the charisma that is mentioned in several passages above mentioned about giving, it leads, it teaches, it becomes a prophet, it helps, in tongues, willing to live simply, shepherd, became a martyr, it heals, encouraging, p. exorcise , willing to live celibacy, proclaim the gospel, like giving a lift and so forth. There is also in the Bible that testify about the people who filled the Spirit of God, so have the talent, grace and skill in wood carving, weaving fabric and jewels to decorate the sharpening stone temple (can we read in Exodus 31:1-11 and 35:30-35). These are some examples of the charisma of the Bible and many charisma which are recorded in the Bible both Old Testament and New Testament, among others charisma singing, playing music and charisma to read the Bible. 

     Outside the environment of God's people a lot of charisma is also similar to the word blessing. There charisma to lead as the lead social group which was not related to Christian beliefs. Parallels between the blessing and the gift is both a gift from God. Both the blessing and grace are both dependent development of human growth from childhood. Charisma is given based on one's faith and charisma can’t stand alone, but the charisma was very closely with the faith of a believer. Charisma is very accurate when used in terms of wholeness, order and regularity of a fellowship of believers and also not be used by God in vain. God gives charisma to the people to believe in Him through their own plan and purpose of God. Therefore can we say that it is wrong if the church parishioners who want to develop hamper his charisma. 

     If people believe that charisma is owned beneficial to the church and society, it is very wrong too, if the church does not develop this charisma. Charisma is given to every person (people believe) that does not mean we just remain silent, but we need more adding to the Church communion and progress of society. The believer must work harder to develop themselves according to the gifts God has given to him. Charisma can be changed according to changes over time and the development of church ministry. Charisma is what God has given us not only saved but to be developed and used. When the charisma that existed at that time we developed it we also have been a blessing to many people and become salt and light of the world. This is what is meant by the Apostle Peter that "in accordance with the gifts that have been obtained by each person as a good administrator of the grace of God" (read in 1 Peter 4:10). Can we understand that charisma is given to "each person". 

     We all charisma and no exception was able to obtain it from the Lord God not because of intelligence, eloquence, skill and elegance and we are but because of God's plan for our own. The person receiving the gift should be grateful, but we do not just save that gift but we develop it for the good of the people.

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Who are the people around us?

     Every person has a relationship with other people around him. Are those people are family, friends, coworkers, business partners and others who loved us or have similar interests with us. The people who we know is we are set apart and store in our agenda book or in our phone book list. This is so that we will never forget the people that we know it. We may record the whole of their names or maybe just a few names that have close ties or have similar interests with us. Basically this means that we are doing is right and fair. However, whether we realize it or not that this will make the association and our relationship will become more narrow or wide?. When we define these people as the choice of friendship or our association, then the horizon we will only focus on the people that we have set it. In other words, our activities will become narrower. 

     Only these people which is the direction of our attention and as if the only people this is our neighbor. Actually, who are those who are around you? There is the idea that people who are around us or our neighbors are people who have one culture, nation, tribe or have one religion. This view is narrow for me, because I think whoever we are (regardless of their differences) are the same as God's creatures. Both the culture, nation, tribe or religion that has a view like the one above is a society (culture, nation, tribe and religion, etc.) is closed. They can’t get along or are friends with people from outside their environment. People like this will feel strange when they see other people who have nothing in common with them , whether the similarity in terms of skin color, face, fashion,and others. 

     Views of narrow self- limiting and close friendships are a relic of ancient times, but in this modern age there are still too narrow views even though many countries are increasingly diverse. There are people who unknowingly have a view or opinion that the fellow they were just people of one nationality , one ethnic , one culture or one religion with them. They would feel odd if socialized with them, so they will be less happy if the presence of people who do not have the same background with them. 

     Perhaps we unknowingly we had been trapped in such a narrow view. Let us note and remember those who become friends and our friends. Anyone with one nation, one culture and one religion with us or who I do not have the same background with us. Is that such a narrow scope and nature of our lives? In the Gospel of Luke 10:33-35 says that: "... when he saw the man, his heart was moved by compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, after he came to water with oil and wine..." In Luke's Gospel is a parable that illustrates the story of a benevolent Samaria. We know that in the context of this parable of the Samaritan is not favored by the Jews. But the Samaritans who did not have the same striped background with people he can help do good. It turns out that there are people in our environment or our neighbors are people who need a place in our hearts. In other words that our neighbors are people who have a conscience and who always showed compassion. Even Jesus Christ has made us a part of His work of salvation, because we are all human fellow creatures of God. 

Be kind to our neighbors (the people around us), because we also expect others to do well against us. We much love other people beside us.

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