The End? Or the Means?

“But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, ‘If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?’ Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—‘Let us do evil that good may result’? Their condemnation is deserved.”
Romans 3:5-8, New International Version

The End? Or the Means?

It is fun to read the great philosophers. One of the questions of all time is “Does the end justify the means?” (Machiavellian philosophy.) In other words, if the end result of an action is good, does that justify the means of getting there, whether or not the means are good?

Sometimes this question is raised in some oh so subtle ways that are interesting to ponder from a Christian perspective. For instance, I have heard it preached that, say, if you do something good for someone or something, and you don’t get thanked, the discouragement you feel, or whatever bad feelings you feel, may give you a glimpse into Jesus’ heart. I actually buy into this.

Obviously, getting a glimpse into Jesus’ heart, or feeling something that He felt, even to a small degree is a good thing, right? I believe this to be true for sure. I can appreciate pain in that it brings me just a bit closer to Jesus and His walk on this earth. I have thanked Him for the glimpse.

However, what about the perspective from the other side? For instance if the person by who’s actions you suffered pain is the one who is justifying the end by the means, it is a bit harder to buy, isn’t it? If you have given your all to someone, and then they caused you pain, and then told you that that pain is a good thing because it brings you closer to Jesus – well, what is that all about? Likewise, if you harm someone through unrighteous behaviour, don't make reparation to them, but instead think that it is justifiable because it is for their own good, perhaps, or because they will learn from it, or it will in any way benefit them, then you have a problem. (By the way, I have done this very thing, so I am familiar with these issues, and indeed am really talking to myself through this devotional.)

Paul talks about this in the book of Romans. He seems to warn the Jews, who considered themselves teachers, preachers and lights to the spiritually blind, that unrighteous behaviour on their part, even if it brings out God’s righteousness more clearly in the people they are leading, preaching to, teaching, etc., will lead to condemnation. Can that be any clearer? A good end does not justify bad means.

I’m certainly not in a leadership position of influence at this point in my life, but if that ever comes about, I hope to remember Paul’s warning to the Jewish leaders, teachers and preachers of his day. I hope never to be a leader that would justify incorrect behaviour by encouraging the receiver of that behaviour to believe the pain I caused would bring them closer to Christ.