No. 276

Tract Number 276

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THE CALVARY ROAD

By J. D. McIntyre

Australia

PREFACE

The writer was once ministering in a church which was torn by divisions, fightings, backbiting and slander. Many hurtful things were being said, and some were in tears. Strenuous attempts to clear up the trouble were ineffective. The enemy was rejoicing and declared that he would break up the church and scatter it. This was no idle boast. The following message proved to be the answer to the trouble. The church came through its trial, was established, and remains a witness to this day. Although this message holds a key to unity in the local assembly, it is essentially a message to the individual. If you will walk the Calvary Road, nothing that people or Satan may do to you will mar your fellowship with God. It is possible to have joy, liberty and a blessed tranquil peace in your spiritual experience at all times and in every circumstance.

“For it is acceptable with God if, through consciousness of His presence, a man bears wrong, when treated unjustly if when you do right and suffer for it you bear patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

“It is to this you were called; because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you an example so that you should follow in His steps. He never sinned, and no guile (deceit) was ever heard from His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not answer with reviling; when He suffered He did not threaten, but left His cause in the hands of the righteous Judge.” (1st Peter 2: 19-23, Waymouth Version).

THE PATHWAY OF NON-RETALIATION

Let us picture Jesus carrying His cross, on the road to Golgotha, his footprints stained with blood.

He had been betrayed by His disciples. His closest friends had deserted Him in His hour of deepest need, and one had even denied he ever knew Him. He had been betrayed by the people. He had labored for them unto weariness in the ministry of the Word and of healing. And His reward? They cried, “Crucify Him.”

He had been betrayed by the Sanhedrin, governing body of the Jews. No less than 15 Jewish laws were broken in the apprehension and trial of Jesus. They shamelessly broke them so as to convict Him. He who had never sinned, who had always obeyed the law of love, was denied the just principles of civil law.

He was betrayed by the Romans. Pilate knew He was innocent. His duty under Roman law was to acquit Him, but fearing that the impending riot would bring disgrace upon him from Rome, he broke the law to save himself. How often have the innocent been sacrificed on the altar of another’s vain ambition!

Jesus was human as well as divine, and do we imagine He was immune to human considerations? The shame, the sense of injustice, the cruelty, the cowardice of His friends, the sense of having been deserted and betrayed must have lain heavily on that dear heart just as it would have lain heavily on ours.

Added to all this was the heavy Cross, placed so roughly upon a back already torn to ribbons by the cruel lash. Truly His foot steps on the Calvary Road were stained with blood.

Now let us look deep into His heart. Observe and wonder, for here is no resentment, no planning of revenge, no desire to justify Himself, no bitterness, no self pity.

Instead we see meekness, gentleness, humility, acceptance, and nothing but love for His tormentors. He was suffering and about to die for the very ones who had betrayed Him, for the very ones who had cowardly forsaken Him in His hour of greatest need, for the men who were even now holding the nails. Truly there are no depths to which God’s love will not go, in order to lift us.

SEVEN REASONS WHY BELIEVERS

MUST FOLLOW THE CALVARY ROAD

1. BECAUSE GOD’S WORD COMMANDS US TO

This is final. We need no other argument. In Romans 12.10-21, Matthew 5:38-45, 1st Peter 2.21-25 and 3.8-9, Acts 8.32 and 1st Corinthians 6.7-8 we read such words as—

“Bless them which persecute you”

“Avenge not yourselves”

“Be not overcome of evil, overcome evil with good”

“Resist not evil”

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.”

“Like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.”

“Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”

The scripture commands are enough. Let us DO them and blessing will follow.

Nevertheless there are six more practical reasons why we should walk the pathway of non-retaliation.

2. BECAUSE I WILL NOT LET ANYONE ROB ME OF THE BLESSING OF GOD

How can people rob us of blessing? Because if we allow resentment or bitterness or un-forgiveness to arise in our heart against another, we lose the peace and joy of God’s presence. These three sinful emotions CANNOT co-exist with that tranquil and blessed peace that we believers enjoy in our relationship with God. This is a fact known by practical experience. We have all observed it within ourselves and it is stated as a rule by Jesus— “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in Heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11.26).

To enjoy an uninterrupted peace, to abide in a state of freedom and liberty in His glorious presence, these three intruders must be watched for and dealt with immediately they seek to take us over. They will clamor for entrance immediately when someone slanders us, does us an unkindness, or in some other way inflicts an injury on us. Woe to that believer who indulges resentment, un-forgiveness or bitterness, for although he may enjoy wallowing in his self-pity, he has forfeited the blessed anointing of the Spirit and he senses his loss.

Everyone must make up his own mind what rules and standards he will follow in life. Set for yourself the rule that you will not let anyone, no matter how cruel or unjust their action, rob you of God’s blessing by indulging these three sinful states. To keep this rule will sometimes cost you much prayer. It will certainly cost you the loss of your pride. It will entail the denial of self. But, blessed be God, you will retain the blessing of God in your heart, and that is of infinite worth.

A wrong reaction to an inflicted wrong always binds us.

Unfortunately some believers are tightly bound by their unscriptural reaction. Unless they will forgive from the heart the person who has injured them, they will remain bound. I have seen some sad cases. Sometimes people are found to be clinging to injustices and inflicted wrongs many years old. They do not seem to see the discrepancy. They have forfeited their blessed liberty, and for what? —for a wrong which oftentimes the person who inflicted it has long since forgotten. Let us get a sense of proportion.

To help us to forgive, Jesus gave us the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18. 21-35). The inference here is that God has forgiven us a multitude of sins, some of which were vile and offensive to Him, and which in any case cost Him infinite pain at Calvary. Shall we not forgive others, who ourselves have been forgiven? We are under an obligation to forgive.

“Oh thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou, desirest me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And His Lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors.... so likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.”

We have no right to harbor any spirit which is not sweet and loving toward even our vilest enemy, for God has forgiven us the debt we owed Him.

I am afraid many people are out of the Church who once walked with God, because they have become ensnared with a spirit of un-forgiveness. It is true that the one who inflicted the unkindness has seriously sinned and will have to give an account to Him on “that day.” But if those injured had obeyed the Word they would be walking in bright paths still.

What is the answer to forgiving? FORGET.

“Forgive one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4.32)

How does God forgive?

By forgetting, as we see in Ezekiel 33.14-16 (Amp. O.T.).

“If he turns from his sin ... none of his sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him.”

And in Jeremiah 31:34— “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

To forgive we must forget, simply because of the laws that govern our being.

It is a law of the mind that whatever we allow our thoughts to dwell on, will become a feeling to us. If we let our thoughts dwell on the unjust things done to us or said about us, the inevitable will occur. Emotions of bitterness and resentment will arise.

For this reason, whenever the image of a wrong arises in your mind, erase it. Turn your thoughts to safer pictures, ones which will not poison your spirit. It is impossible to forgive if we keep remembering. It is true we may learn many lessons of life from injuries, which it is well for us to remember. But do not dwell on the hurt itself.

3. BECAUSE I WILL NOT TAKE GOD’S DIVINE PREROGATIVE FROM HIM

“Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord.”

God is the guarder of our reputation. It is safe in His hands. He will either clear our name in this life or the life to come; but one thing is sure, He will clear it. Many a person who is now stumbling under a load of false shame, their reputation injured by the barbs of malicious slanders, will be cleared on “that day.”

Unfortunately some believers follow the way of this world, and seek their own vengeance, instead of following their Master, who “opened not His mouth.” There are few things that will so quickly drive away our peace and joy, than getting into a self defensive and self justifying spirit. Jesus taught us not to defend ourselves, but to “turn to him the other (cheek) also.” This meekness, this non-retaliation in the face of injustice is hard for human nature, but possible by divine grace. Do not deceive yourself. Your out-spokenness, your “facing the other party,” your “having it out with them” too often cloaks a spirit that is not the sweet submissive spirit of Jesus that LEAVES IT ALL TO GOD.

Vengeance is God’s prerogative, his right, his place, and not ours. If God’s children would leave all in His hands and not move in their own defense, they would retain their peace and learn many precious lessons. It is a wonderful privilege to walk with Jesus in the shadows of misunderstandings, slanders, rebuffs, coolness and reproaches. To those who thus walk, He reveals himself in a precious way, worth infinitely more than all the evil sweetness human vengeance has, or ever could, give its misguided advocates.

How precious it is to see the Lord defend us. He spreads for us a “table in the presence of mine enemies” (Psalm 23). How wonderful it is to have the Spirit of God develop within us a heart that is big enough to take all the injuries that humans can heap upon us, and come up smiling. We feel the nail-pierced hand in ours, and it fills us with the most wonderful confidence and assurance as we walk the Calvary Road.

“Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” Our heavenly Father knows how to look after His own. He will protect your name if He wants to, and if He does not desire to, then you must most gladly surrender it up to Him and like the Apostles be “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5.41).

4. BECAUSE GOD HAS DESIGNED OUR PARTICULAR CALVARY ROAD FOR OUR GOOD.

The intriguing question — “Why does God permit evil?” — requires a too extensive treatment to be answered within the limited scope of this article.

The questions surrounding God’s permission of slanders, opposition, slights and wounds of various kinds which come against His children, however, must be answered if we are to walk the Calvary Road with unclouded faith. Let us face some facts. It is undeniable that God is all powerful; that He could, if He wished, protect us from these injuries. It is also undeniable that in many cases, He does not so choose. What then? Is God against His children? Undeniably no! Scripture abounds with assurances of His good purpose towards us so—

“He careth for you” (1st Peter 5:7).

“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7).

“Lo, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:20).

“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

So much is this so that Satan once complained about one of God’s children to the Father with these words— “Hast not thou made a hedge about him?” (Job 1:10).

This leaves us with no alternative but to view these things which God permits, as opportunities, specifically given us by God, in which we can cultivate the virtues of meekness, humility, forgiveness and patience — in short, to become like Jesus Himself. Indeed experienced believers realize, as they scan their life experiences, that infinite wisdom has been displayed in permitting various trials and buffets to come against them. With matchless skill your Father will place you in just those circumstances where, with a scriptural reaction, you will learn the lessons and develop the spiritual muscles He can see that you need.

For it is through injustice that we become like Jesus, meek, not opening our mouths in self defense, but humble, sweet and still.

It is through injuries to our heart that we learn that quiet trustful patience that looks up to God, willing to wait His time for justice to be done or our name to be cleared. Yes, and to progress to where we even do not desire justice for ourselves, but rather to pour out our heart and life for those who have injured us, and to pray as Jesus did, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”

It is through slanders that we learn, the hard way, to “bless them that curse you; do good to them that despitefully use you and persecute you.”

Unfortunately, some people resemble the cactus plant — the closer you get to them the more they hurt. The wise believer uses such people as stepping stones to greater conformity to the image of Christ.

Many believers, however, become dismayed, confused and discouraged by the opposition of man. They know that God is all powerful, that He could still the lips and minds of their opponents. He could arrange that nothing hurtful was ever done to them. When, however, they see His permission of these things, they fall into bitterness and resentment, even against God Himself — and resentment, and desire for revenge against those who have inflicted the wound, comes in like a flood.

There is absolutely no need for this confusion and discouragement. Does not our reason alone show us that it is undesirable that God should put us in a glass case, immune from the wounds of life? Just as a muscle grows through resistance to force, and a character develops through decisions, so the nature of Christ finds opportunities for development and expression both in us and through us, in situations where forgiveness, meekness, patience and love for enemies can be expressed.

It is good for us if we can see ourselves as pupils in the school of life, and that an all-wise and all-loving Father is our teacher. Even Jesus, the perfect man “learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8) and how much more shall adversity need to be our school teacher. “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening God dealeth with you as sons.” It is interesting to observe that the Greek word paiedeia, translated as “chasteneth” in Hebrews 12:6, includes the sense of “to train, instruct, educate” as one would a child. The Amplified N.T. renders as follows—

“For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom he loves, and he punishes, even scourges, everyone whom he accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.”

What did you do last time you were scourged? It was permitted for your good — did you take advantage of the opportunity? Did you face it scripturally and thus win greater spiritual strength?

Viewed in this light, hurts, slanders, hatred and insults, although painful, will be looked on as privileges. We are privileged to have opportunities to cultivate a meek and forgiving spirit in the thickest of the fight — and viewed as such, we shall be able to understand why the Word commands us to “IN EVERYTHING give thanks” and “Rejoice evermore” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Many times we find that believers who, like the Apostles, are “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name,” when that shame is inflicted by the world, nevertheless stumble when injuries are inflicted by fellow believers.

It is no doubt true that injuries received from children of God inflict on us a more exquisite pain and bring with them far more questions and a greater sense of injustice. However lamentable and inexcusable though it is that such should occur, it DOES occur, and we must face life as it IS and not as it should be.

I do not doubt that the sense of betrayal by His disciples lay more heavily on Jesus' heart than all the other indignities He suffered. If we would (and we must) walk the Calvary Road with Jesus, then let us be prepared beforehand, for injuries will sometimes come from those of whom we least expect it. In all cases, whether from believer or non-believer, the commands remain “avenge not yourselves,” Resist not evil,” “pray for them that despitefully use you,” and in following these commands we shall remain free in our spirit, with God’s blessing flowing unrestrictedly over our being.

When betrayed by his brothers, what clouds of discouragement, bitterness, perplexity and a sense of injustice must have assailed Joseph. Why did these clouds fail to over-whelm him? And later on, languishing in a prison for a crime that he did not commit, branded with false shame, ostracised by decent men, why didn’t he surrender himself up to self pity and abandon his soul to hatred?

When Joseph was enthroned on the pinnacle of Egyptian power, with his brothers in his grasp, and the opportunity lying in his hands to exact sweet revenge, we gain the answer. We catch a glimpse of what sustained his heart in the dark years of injustice in these words to his brothers —”... it was not you that sent me hither BUT GOD.” (Genesis 45:8) Trust in an all-loving Father is always the answer. Joseph prevailed because he accepted by faith, that God had designed his Calvary Road for his good.

It is a wise believer who sees his Father’s hand in all these things, and who in each new difficulty consults Him as to the right reaction. In all opposition from man there is a new lesson to learn, a NEW BLESSING to be won. Once we can, by faith, see our loving Father’s hand of permission behind man’s hand of commission, we will be able to stand before our accusers with the same calm serenity that Jesus did when He answered Pilate.

“Thou could’st have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11).

Such wise believers are still journeying undismayed on to the heavenly reward. Unfortunately, many others who could see only man’s hand, have lost their faith and become entangled with resentment and doubt, and are swallowed up with perplexity.

5. BECAUSE I REFUSE TO LOSE MY PERSPECTIVE

Let us keep a right sense of proportion. Do not make a mountain out of a molehill. What are our problems in comparison to the lost and suffering all around us?

So you are enduring slanders, insults, or perhaps being ignored, suffering slights, placed upon you by supposed believers? You are experiencing pain through inflicted wrong? I invite you to look at the multiplied millions of the lost who are only a heartbeat away from an eternity without God, and so realize that your need compared to theirs is as a speck of dust contrasted with a huge mountain.

If we could but tune in to the agonies all around us, we would the more clearly see that we are surrounded by an ocean of tears.

What a contrast between their state and ours, for they have “no hope” and are “without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12), whilst we are saved, and though we may experience pain, yet “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY” (1st Corinthians 4:17).

Do not let us lose our perspective. Let us keep our balance. A good cure for us when we are wronged is to look at the misfortunes of others.

The believer whose eyes are off himself and on to the needs of a lost world, although he will still keenly feel the pain of inflicted wrong, will see his own sorrows in right perspective. He will realize that in comparison with the sum total of pain, his own are insignificant. He will not dwell on himself, exaggerate his troubles and so make his Calvary Road harder to bear than it should.

6. BECAUSE I WANT TO REMAIN A CHANNEL OF GOD’S POWER

We stated previously that “a wrong reaction to an inflicted wrong always binds us.” To this we now add that any ill will, bitterness, un-forgiveness, resentment or self pity which is allowed to remain in the heart, will effectively prevent God from using us for His glory.

Have you seen the sad spectacle of some brother or sister, once an anointed instrument for the blessing of many, now stripped of power? They may continue their ministry in its outward form, but the glory has departed. A wrong reaction to an injury has bound them. Heaven weeps for them, but the inexorable principle remains, namely, that if we would have His blessed authority, liberty and power resting upon us, then we must walk the pathway of non-retaliation.

Is God using you for the blessing of others? You are enjoying liberty in the Spirit? Then be doubly watchful, for Satan will be planning to assault you through the lips and the actions of anyone whom he can make do his will. His great plan is to render you ineffective as God’s instrument of blessing to others. If you are careful to walk the Calvary Road, however, you will thwart his every device. If he can entice you from that Road, he will be afraid of your commands no longer, and you will know it. He longs to bring you down from the blessed position you now hold.

But you, wise believer, will steadfastly continue in the path of non-resistance to your attackers, so that your heart may continue to be controlled by God’s sweetness, His power, His liberty, His authority and His divine anointing.

7. BECAUSE LOVE IS STRONGER THAN EVIL.

You have read this tract through thus far, and perhaps your heart is saying:

“Through the grace of God I know I have no wrong reaction towards those who oppose me. My heart is free from resentment, bitterness, or an unforgiving spirit. Nevertheless what they have done against me still troubles me in some way. I feel hedged in, restricted. I feel pain because of their hatred, the same as any normal human would feel. Even though I accept it meekly, nevertheless the injustice of it all presses down on me. I feel no confidence in the presence of these people. I have not the joy I should have. In some way that I do not understand, what has been done against me still has the power to oppress me.”

I am persuaded that there are many such. Long and vicious campaigns against a heart can wear it down. Sometimes the injury inflicted numbs and paralyses the heart, and oppresses the mind. This is not surprising, because HATRED IS A SPIRITUAL FORCE. It can only be overcome by the SPIRITUAL FORCE OF GOD’S LOVE. Hatred is Satan’s ultimate weapon against the believer, and can only be overcome by the believer’s ultimate weapon, which is to love with all the heart.

The genius of God’s love is that it can never be defeated because it loves its enemies. God’s love is all embracing. He causes His rain to fall “on the just and on the unjust.” Jesus said “Love your enemies — and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven.” That is, love in the same way that He loves, and so prove that you are indeed “partakers of the divine nature.” How can a love like this ever be defeated?

“Be not overcome of evil, overcome evil with good” or as Phillips renders it “Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered by evil. Take the offensive — overpower evil with good.”

IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO TAKE THE OFFENSIVE!!

Here is a plan for you. It is scriptural. It has worked for others and it will work for you. Write down a list of the names of those who have hurt you in some way. Set a time and go aside and pray for each one on your list. Avoid asking God to forgive them for their sins, or for hurting you, or for their faults, unless you are free from a subtly critical attitude. Avoid any lofty superior spirit. Instead praise God for all the good you can see in them, and for all the good He has done for them. Pray for their success. Pray from the heart. Pour out love towards them in intercessory prayer. Desire their success in life as much as you desire your own.

Does this plan appear distasteful to you? If so, then an element of “self” still remains in you, and it is this which is blocking the streams of blessing. If you would be truly free, with the old time shout, and the streams of blessing flowing in your soul, you will have to stoop even to this.

Perhaps your plan has been to forget them, to erase them from your mind, because the memory of them was associated with pain for self. But are they not also God’s children, even though not free from blemish? Or, if unsaved, do they not also need the Saviour? You may not withhold your love prayer from them. As you make this surrender and let the Divine Love move through you to them, that love will heal you as it passes through.

No more wonderful creative force has ever existed than the love of God, for it can never be defeated. Happy is the soul who allows it to flow through his heart, for every blow struck against it only quickens the flow. This is Satan’s despair, that his cruelty towards us only increases the flow of love towards the people he uses against us.

You say that you have not retaliated? You have not justified yourself? You have not defended yourself? You have accepted it all with meekness? Crushed to the earth you have lain still, an acceptable offering to your God? All this you have done is good.

BUT DO NOT NEGLECT TO TAKE THE OFFENSIVE.

You have experienced the spiritual force of hatred, used as a weapon against you. Now you are going to direct against that hatred the VASTLY SUPERIOR SPIRITUAL FORCE OF LOVE.

“What can you do now Satan? You have played your last card, your ultimate weapon. If hatred cannot stop us from loving, what remains?

No wonder we are called in Romans 8:37 “More than conquerors.” We are unconquerable. The Calvary Road is the pathway of inexpressible triumph in Christ. You are to live victoriously with every power of your soul in action to the fullest extent, a channel of the boundless, depthless, all embracing love of God. What bliss is yours, what triumph, as you turn your love, His love, outward toward all mankind.

SUMMARISING THE TWO ROADS

1. THE WORLD’S ROAD. Justify yourself. Defend yourself. Revenge yourself.

2. THE CALVARY ROAD. Silence. Non-resistance. Return good for evil.