Charisma is one of the words which is hard to define. We have a hard time explaining it but we know it when we see it. What if I told you that charisma is actually a leadership trait which can be developed. Let me explain.
Yesterday, I attended Fellowship Bible Church’s reopening service. Crawford Loritts, the church’s charismatic senior pastor, and their teaching team have been going through the “one anothers” in the Bible. This week’s message focused on Ephesians 4:32 which states, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
The word “forgiving” or “forgiveness” comes from the Greek word “Charismo” which we get “Charisma.” The lesson here is significant. Charisma is directly related to your ability to forgive. It implies to give freely or graciously as a favor. You give because it was given to you. Graciousness is an attractive quality, thus charisma.
Crawford expertly unpacked this concept which you can watch by clicking HERE. I felt his insights were so revolutionary I want to share them with you. The following are 39 quotes from Pastor Crawford on being a forgiving, and thus charismatic, leader:
Introductory Comments
- “The downfall of Western Christianity is it is far too individualistic and independent.”
- “The loss of community results in increased dysfunction.”
- “Love in the Bible is anchored in sacrifice.”
- “Love disadvantages itself for the comfort of others.”
- “If you are alive you have to forgive or you will dissolve into bitterness.”
- “To be human is to be offended.”
- “I tell all couples in pre-marriage counseling the depth of your intimacy is determined by your ability to forgive.”
- “We are offended every day.”
7 Primary Truths About Forgiveness
- “All of us are in need of forgiveness. You cannot forgive outside of personal humility.” – Romans 3:23
- “The lack of forgiveness is a barrier to your relationship with God.”
- “We are to forgive others when they don’t ask for it. Forgiveness isn’t conditional. Reconciliation is.”
- “We give forgiveness even to those who don’t deserve it. After all, do you deserve forgiveness?”
- “We give an unlimited amount of forgiveness.”
- “There are consequences when we choose not to forgive.”
- “God gives us the ability to forgive. It’s not on us.”
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
- “The ‘one anothers’ are anchored to a testimony of a watching world.
- “The church is run by the power of The Book.”
- “The inability to subordinate ourselves to the Word of God injects embalming fluid into our lives and the church.”
- “Kindness – what is suitable and fitting to a need.”
- “It takes confidence to be humble. I push aside my preferences because I know I’m taken care of. I can move towards others.”
- “What do people sense or feel when they are in your orbit? We tell on ourselves far more than we think.”
5 Things Forgiveness Is Not
- “Forgiveness is not a matter of good feelings. Emotions are great passengers but poor drivers.”
- “Forgiveness is not forgetting.”
- “Forgiveness is not complete healing.”
- “Forgiveness doesn’t mean you will not make things better.
- “Forgiveness is not necessarily reconciliation.”
4 Things Forgiveness Is
- “Forgiveness is releasing my right to get even.”
- “Forgiveness is trusting myself to God’s love, power, and plan.”
- “Forgiveness is obedience to God. He controls my life, not the offender.”
- “Forgiveness implies forbearance, the ability to show restraint and let things go.”
Jesus Is The Most Charismatic and Thus Forgiving Person Ever
- “You must be vertical and not horizontal in your perspective.”
- “The ultimate motivator in life is Jesus.”
- “His sacrifice on the cross is the example by which we should live.”
- “What makes us think we should not be offended?”
- “What God has done in Christ should govern our behavior when we are offended.”
4 Action Steps
- “Decide to forgive. Stop autopsying the offense and why it happened.”
- “Clearly express your forgiveness.”
- “Deal with the pain.”
- “Continue to look at Jesus. Stop rehearsing the offense. Don’t resurrect what should be dead.”
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