Charisma without character causes chaos. We need only read the stories of the catastrophic falls of gifted leaders to demonstrate this truth. The New Testament word for spiritual gift is charis, the root of our word charisma. Gifts come from God. Character is developed in obedience to God.
Often our studies of spiritual gifts have an individualistic flavor. “What gift did God give you?” we may ask. People go around guessing others’ gifts and announcing their own. How should we study and use spiritual gifts? In the New Testament, Paul always focuses his teaching about spiritual gifts on the health of the body of Christ.
Notice the Giver. Christ gave gifts of leadership to apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These are great gifts. What is their purpose? To equip other Christ to do the work of ministry. In no case, do spiritual gifts revolve around or redound to the reputation of the one who receives the gift. Christ, the Giver, is everything.
Here, in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul points out two purposes of the gifts. First, God wants to use spiritual gifts to bring unity to the church. If we use our gifts and our leadership to sow division in the body, we have already failed to fulfill the purpose of our gifts. Paul uses the word, “one” repeatedly, earlier in the chapter to emphasize unity (Ephesians 4:3-6). When we use our gifts for God’s glory, we will grow in unity.
Second, God wants us to use our gifts to bring maturity to the church. The point of the Christian life is to grow up together as one body to match the head of the church, Jesus. The goal is to grow up. Advancing in age does not guarantee maturity. Good news: we may grow up to become like Christ if we are willing. Charisma with character creates unity and maturity.
