Hebrews 1:2a Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,

If you look to modern dictionaries for the definition of charisma, you will discover big personalities. A person who attracts a following. In use, this is correct. This is exactly what is happening. It is however not what was intended when the Greek form of charisma was used in the bible. G5486 xarisma has a totally different meaning.

G5486 Xarisma – the operation of grace

Given that in these later days God is speaking to us thru His Son Jesus Christ, then we can view all that Christ is and does is operation of grace. The Charismatics have focused on the personality of Christ in the operations of the spiritual gifts. These gifts were viewed as being God’s divine empowerment of His adoption to deliver God’s grace in operation. And it is, but….

Who does God choose to be endowed with the power of spiritual gifts? Well let’s look at our prime example, Christ Himself.

Philippians 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

He humbled Himself. Now that is exactly the opposite of the modern definition of charisma. Interestingly enough is this not exactly the type of thing Satan does? He takes a Godly virtue and changes it into something ugly in man. This is the method Satan uses.

A humble servant is endowed with grace gifts and uses them. He sees the good that the Lord has done. His desire is to do good. His desire is to reach as many as are in need of these gifts as possible. He now has a ministry. The ministry has a following, after all good is being done. Now the ministry needs to be fed. His reputation grows with the ministry and suddenly it is the man’s charisma rather than the operation of grace.

The man lost his humility just as soon as he desired to do good. Humility subjects itself to the will of God and does not care how it is being used.

Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

I have been thinking about proof lately. People come on television with comments and I want to say “Show me your proof.” If asked they will inevitably quote a survey or another authority as their proof. That isn’t proof! That is trusting in someone else’s efforts to lay claim to something.

Here in Acts is a comment about the reports from many different people over a forty day period of what they claim to be proof to them about the risen Christ. It isn’t even a firsthand report, it is a second hand report. Now mind you those first hand reports were probably very convincing. First hand encounters can be rather descriptive and emotional. I do believe that Luke believed those reports wholeheartedly. That was two thousand years ago.

Many today will not believe without proof. All I can say is the same thing as those who reported to Luke had to say about what they saw and heard. “Jesus has revealed Himself to me to be the risen Christ.” Now where is my proof? Anything I say or do places the receiver in the same position as Luke. They would have to believe my report.

Do you need proof? Is not my word good enough? Am I not convincing enough? The truth is that I can prove nothing to you. The same way Jesus revealed Himself to me, is the only way that you shall have your own proof.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I cannot give proof to you. Only Christ can.