Being Magnanimous
Being Magnanimous
The word magnanimous can be taken to mean “showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind”.
The idea of magnanimity in the Bible can be translated as “abounding grace”. Rom_5:20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Not everyone can be magnanimous in everything but I have seen many being magnanimous in one or two things in life. For example; some people are extremely loving or kind or generous even to a fault. Yet, this is not true magnanimity because it comes out of an existing wealth of character and material wealth. True magnanimity is giving without reservation that comes from an attitude within oneself whether one is rich or poor. This is done in spite of the knowledge of another’s weakness, sin, or even abundance in life whether that be in character or material wealth. Many do much for the poor in spirit and life and feel for them but few do anything for the rich in wealth and character. I think, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Wow! That is magnanimity. He had already given us natural life but went one step further to give us eternal life. I am amazed that He wants to, when we as miserable sinners wasted His first unreserved giving of life in creating us. Now, he goes one further and makes us sons and daughters after we have sinned and hurt Him. He goes from creating to begetting. His DNA is now in those who believe and that magnanimity is the make up of grace and love.
We have entered into the age of grace and love but we have not learnt much of that kind of magnanimity when it comes to our practice in daily living. Giving of self is a magnanimous act which requires sacrifice. There is a grandeur about this. Sacrifice does not take on death without first knowing that death is defeated. Death is being served life to replace it as a determining power amongst mankind. Death does not exist in God, only life. Therefore, anything God creates has death attached to it, till such time His DNA (SPIRIT) enters and gives it life. Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1Pe 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Pe 1:20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 1Pe 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Rom_8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
We can see from this passage that death is no longer victorious in the sense of permanency, though it is still existent outside of God and is still victorious among flesh. 1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Yet, in Christ, it has no power. Furthermore, death is still victorious in the spirit as it will affect even evil spirits who must face death in the lake of fire. Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Rev 20:15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. So, death takes on a new meaning when it becomes second death. This second death is an eternal damnation of torture and constant dying. I shudder to think of it.
So, in the context of death, the magnanimity of God is something to be considered. One should not take His love and sacrifice for granted. Receiving magnanimity requires an individual to release magnanimity in grace and mercy and love. Extravagant love can be considered as tough love, agape love or relational love that must be exercised with an understanding of having received it from God ourselves without true worthiness. Otherwise, we will only show it to who we think are worthy. God’s magnanimity does not consider worthiness. It rather pities the soul and sees the absolute uselessness of the soul in the light of God’s glory. Glory then imparts to this unworthy vessel its own glory and by that it is magnanimous. Zec 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. Zec 3:2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Zec 3:3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. Zec 3:4And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Zec 3:5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
We see from these passages that God is showing grace and mercy and imparting His glory to a vessel of His in the face of accusation. When sin is exposed in a person, it is very hard for us to be magnanimous. We would rather join in the accusation (like the woman taken in adultery in the Bible). However, there is a big difference between accusing a vessel of God with imputed righteousness than accusing a person who is not righteous or is in the world. In the sight of God, there is no legitimacy attached to accusing a vessel of God. God in His sovereignty chooses who He wills and imparts His righteousness to that person. Therefore, no accuser of the brethren can prosper. Even if the vessel of God has sinned, the choice to forgive based on repentance is with God not the accuser. After all, the accuser who is already a lesser vessel is seeking a higher authority to bring credibility to that accusation. In the old days, when Jesus was on earth, when there was no legitimacy attached to accusation, they found false witnesses to bring the accusation based on lies. That is how they accused Jesus.
God allowed Jesus to be made sin and put the blame on Him for our transgressions because His mercy (magnanimity) was to be seen on sinners who did not deserve forgiveness. He took it upon Himself for the purpose of saving those whom He loved. This is wow! I know that I am a sinner and do not deserve His love or forgiveness but He does it unconditionally first and then conditionally on repentance in the knowledge that I will fail Him over and over again. This silences the accuser and releases magnanimous love.
I am constantly amazed at God’s love which seems extravagant at times, much more than I can even imagine. I have a pretty good imagination but now I know that in order to know this love I must be given understanding and knowledge not just feel it. The feeling of this love only blesses me and makes me feel good but the knowledge of this incomprehensible love builds a foundation in my life and then begins to take shape as a beautiful building that has height, length, depth and breadth which allows me to practice this love. Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Eph 3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Eph 3:18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Eph 3:19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. The more I understand this love, the more I see the sweeping grace and largeness of God. Yet, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God.
Why, is knowing this about God’s sweeping magnanimity important? I believe, God is going to bring in an end time harvest that will usher in the end times that will dramatically end this magnanimity. After those times, there will be severe problems on earth and it will be extremely hard to find God’s love or grace. Jesus said it this way; Mar 13:19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. Mar 13:20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. The sad part of this is, the world and much of the Church is not ready or listening and so are unprepared.
I pray for the day when we will find this extravagant love in our hearts to sustain us in those times, should we be here and the Lord tarries. My friends, listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying and stay strong in God’s love which may seem tough to you in your situation but I say tough love is better than no love. The world needs much grace even as sin abounds. God is giving grace in His magnanimity. I love Him for it even though, it is tough for me to understand His choices and patience. God is God and no one is sufficient for these things. The cross proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
My hope is, we will all be sweepingly magnanimous in our approach to life and allow God to be God while we learn to humble ourselves while He loves the world. I cannot separate people adequately to know the difference in people to condemn them or judge them. I have some discernment but more than that, I am relying on His love for me and His words that assures me saying,” I will never leave you or forsake you”. Be blessed.
Lots of love
Pastor Noble