Magnanimous Love – A War Cry!

By Dalene Peel | Apostolic Regional Teams

Unity in the Body is a Miracle the World Needs to See

Magnanimous love is God’s love, agape love.  Thinking on it may bring warm fuzzy feelings, but reality is that it is a war cry.  It is a war cry against fear, division, wrong judgment and anything else that is of the enemy.  

(16)“…God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. (18)   There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear…”( I John 4:16,18 NIV).

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3 NIV).

Unity in the body of Christ is a miracle that the world needs to see.  It is a witness to the healing power of our God, that people of all nations and experiences can unite in love. We are rescued from the destructive actions of the enemy. 

God created us to be different so that the body of Christ may be complete.  Consider how many gifts and operations are mentioned in God’s Word. Likewise, we are of multiple colors, cultures, experiences, and testimonies.  We need to recognize each other as a gift to the body.

For example, each culture has its own strengths.  A few of these strengths are hospitality, worship, quietness, praise, boldness, diligence, picturesque speech, and many more that are important to the body of Christ.  Satan does not want us to appreciate each other.  He tries to divide us by deceiving us with fear.  Much of what he says makes sense according to our experiences but they are not truth.  Truth is that God will heal us of our experiences and the lies of the enemy and give us wisdom to walk in love.  We appreciate and honor each other when we are healed and the body is made strong.  We need to acknowledge that our God has a plan and knows what He is doing.

Our God commands us to be brave and walk in love.

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have not I commanded you to be brave.  We need to be brave enough to deny self and trust God.

Indeed, we do need to be brave to walk out I Corinthians 13.  Consider enduring with patience and being kind and thoughtful at all times.  The temptation to be jealous or envious is demoralizing.  Love does not consider such reactions and does not brag or act proud or arrogant.  It takes bravery to say no to our carnal nature.

Already, it is obvious that this is not natural human love, it is supernatural.  It is a love that is not rude or self-seeking.  It takes great bravery to not be looking out for self.  This love is not easily provoked and does not take into account a wrong endured.  It involves dying to self.

“Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]” (I Corinthians 13:7 AMP). 

We are Totally Dependent on God to Walk in it

Obviously, this experience is supernatural, beyond what man can experience without God’s anointing.  Our God paints a picture of something so inviting yet so impossible for man to walk in without being totally dependent on His anointing, strength and wisdom. We are totally dependent on God.  This is not a carnal walk.

In addition, magnanimous love is a war cry against wrong judgment.  I think of Job’s friends.  They felt justified in their attitudes toward Job, but they were clueless about what was happening.  When we commit to walk in love as in I  Corinthians 13:7 AMP, “we are ever ready to believe the best of every person.”  That does not mean that there will never be a time that we need to confront someone. But we listen for instructions and do things God’s way.  He knows each heart and what is going on.  We strive to be like Jesus.

“…The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does… I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught Me” (John 5:19, 8:28).

In conclusion, magnanimous love empowers us for success:

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]”(II Timothy 1:7 AMP).

However, we are unable to walk this walk.  But Jesus said,

“I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you” (John 14:20 NIV).

“If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV).

“(34) A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  (35) By this all men will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35 NIV).

Finally, “Do not be afraid or discouraged…For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (II Chronicles 20:15 NIV).