Growing up, I had a pastor who frequently stated, “It is NEVER right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.” I have never forgotten this truth that was burned into my brain as a young adult. In other words, it is a lie to believe that the “end justifies the means.” There are so many examples of believing this lie on personal issues; in the corporate world; as well as in national and international politics. How can I, as a Christian, consistently live out Kingdom values and not find myself justifying my means because believe I have a right purpose or intention?
I can think of a myriad of examples of how I might “fudge” on the way I do something, because the result would be good. Perhaps I might lie or enhance my resumé in order to get a job that would provide for my family. Or, I plagiarize the writings of another author in order to enhance the book I am writing. What if I lie to keep peace with my spouse? Perhaps, I justify stealing food so that my child will not go hungry. There are a myriad of examples where I might live out the lie that the “end justifies the means.”
This becomes even more obvious in the politics of our country. I deeply struggle with the concept that each election seems to be “choosing between two evils.” Don’t we still end up with evil in the end? Is that what a Christian should support? Our political system of division, hatred, and winning at all costs produces “means” that are glaringly not consistent with Kingdom values, just in order to (maybe) accomplish a good result of laws that we affirm. Are we willing to ignore all the character qualities and history of a candidate (the means) just so that he nominates the “right” judge who might vote for something we believe in (i.e. a “good” result)?
I am committed to living out Christ’s commands in the Gospels, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. These are the marching orders. . . the means. . . to the result of being the people of God in the world. I do not see any addendum to the Ten Commandments. or the Sermon on the Mount that says, “these values may be ignored, as long as you are working towards a good result.”
Brian Zahnd said in a recent sermon, “The means are the end in the process of becoming.” The means are important. HOW we do life is as important as the goals.
I write this, not from a position of knowing how to live out this commitment, but as a fellow traveler on the journey of life who is whole-heartedly committed to living a life that imitates Christ and brings glory to God. Perhaps you, too, are struggling on this journey to know how to be consistent with Kingdom values in the world. We cannot “expect the means to be the same (as the world), but the end to be different.” (Brian Zahnd) We are BE the Body of Christ. . . living out love, life, hope, peace and grace. These are the means, as well as the end. God must be glorified in our methods, in order to be glorified in our results.
God, please show me how to live the Kingdom life. Thank you for the Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit in my life that will enable me to achieve this. I pray for my fellow Christians who are also struggling to know how to live out your values. Help us, Lord. Amen