DOES THE END ALWAYS JUSTIFY THE MEANS?

Scripture not only justifies, but it testifies to God's gift of eternal life!'
By Gerald Cumby
In many areas of society, any means to achieve a goal is considered acceptable. However, I beg to differ with that assessment. I say, "It all depends on whether the goal is legally acceptable and of value to society before we assess the methods to achieve that goal."

Many laws have been passed in our country and around the world that have been against human rights and God's standards as to how to live. Abortion and marijuana/drug laws have been passed and it seems that the goal was achieved via unworthy or unethical methods and means. Certainly the laws making it legal to sell and use marijuana for recreational use is not good for America's citizens (especially our children/teens). Why try to justify something like marijuana or stronger addictive drugs when it is without a doubt a detriment to our overall health and societal values?

Our precious little ones who are in their mother's wombs are removed from society (murdered) by executioners in clinics and hospitals all over the world. They don't have a say...only those with the authority and "means" to diminish and destroy a race of people or make it easier for those with prestige to continue in their transgressions. Why?...All because someone used the "the end justifies the means" concept. There is no excuse for destroying a life in order to approve an ungodly objective.

We see the same excuse in politics, religion, and...even love. The "All's fair in love and war" is not a worthy cliché. It might appear to be a good talking point on paper, but in reality...it is not.

Love is the purest form of feelings where we have deepest concern and affection towards someone. Love means you want that person to be happy at any cost, even if this means that the two who are in love can't be together. There are times when love for country, family, and God are worthy of standing up for truth against all odds. Using ungodly means to uphold the truth, however, is never justified in God's world. How can unethical behavior be justified for love's sake? When you care about someone or some biblical principle validated by God's Word, how can you even think of resorting to misdeeds just to get his/her...or God's approval? Tell the truth, stand for truth, live the truth!

War is fought at many levels in today's world. We see that war is not necessarily fought with weapons in every case. The Cold War between the US and USSR, the US and China, the US and Iran, etc. are fought elsewhere other than the battlefield. We find that there are times when all sides play dirty games (sometimes unethical). The United States sometimes give millions in appeasement money to foreign countries thinking this would help solve a potential terrorist attack or outright war between themselves and the perpetrators. Evidently the United States government feels like giving tons of money to a potential enemy of the State is a much better alternative than sending troops against a foreign foe or terrorist organization...believing money is a cheap price to pay to reduce the threat of war. We have to remember, however, the words of Winston Churchill, "Appeasement is like feeding the crocodile in hopes that he will eat you last." Fighting fire with fire is not the same as "All's fair in love and war." There are Doves and there are Hawks. Why can't we just represent the Eagle? Isn't the eagle representative of our precious country? Eagles are a symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honor, pride, determination and grace.

America, like the Eagle, has a history of being a symbol of a nation with vision and as a fearless fighter when it comes to providing protection to their citizens (at least that is who we have been in the past). Hopefully, we, as a nation, will always remain a beacon of light and a high flyer of truth and integrity around the world.

Looking at the above testimonies about true love and war, we have to come to the conclusion that love or war cannot be termed fair under all circumstances.

Let's look at the positives and negatives of the statement, "The end justifies the means."

• Speaking first of the negative concepts of this statement, we must understand that there are some people in this world who believe that every crisis must be used to further a cause. Most of these same people believe that if their actions provide a means of fulfilling their goals, then "anything goes" and there are "no holds barred" to accomplish the set objectives. Lying, cheating, stealing, and even murder is justified in their minds if their set objectives are met. In their minds, "All's fair" in the game of life. There are some devious people in the world. Their goals are not to make the world a better place, but make the world to adjust to their way of thinking and to their particular beliefs as to what can make "their" life easier and more comfortable. The repulsive and hideous part of this way of thinking is that they have a stadium of cheerleaders and, even helpers, in achieving their devious and ungodly plans. They love to hear the cheers of the fans (media in many cases) as they do their dastardly deeds.
  
  Another negative aspect of the term, "The end justifies the means," is in justifying abortion to eliminate the prospects of an unwanted child who "might be abused" by their parents who are drug addicts...or a child who is "destined" to live in poverty due to the mother or parents who are not "appropriately adjusted to society." This type of means to end a pregnancy is not just unjustified, but is grossly unbiblical and inhumane.
  
  Passing a bill in Congress that might help restore families who have lost their home via a disaster is a good thing. The taxpayer would surely approve of their congressman helping those who have lost everything to a tornado, fire, etc. However, passing the same bill with "pork" in it that has nothing to do with helping those caught up in such a tragedy is not justified. It is deceiving and against the principles of what our country is founded upon. (Oh, I will get some nasty notes on this one).
  
  
• There are some positive aspects of the statement, "The End Justifies the Means."
  
  Being nice and polite are traits most of us hold dear and will support most people who adhere to these character traits. I have seen many people gain respect and admiration along with promotion after promotion by just being nice and polite and performing with a "spirit of excellence" in their respective jobs or volunteer assignments. I think most people who fit into this category are not performing respectfully and appropriately in order to move up the ladder of success. Although their original intent might be to move up the ladder, to be successful, to be considered for promotions, etc., their demeanor is not conniving or deceiving, but it is a way of life for them. The end (successful and respected) justifies the means in which one performs. This is certainly an asset; not a detriment to the one performing or the ones who are privileged to know and work with him/her.
  
  I think the most positive and rewarding example of "The End Justifies the Means" is the method of salvation God planned to bring the sinner to confession of sin, to restore fellowship between God and man, and provide entrance into heaven for God's most loved creation, mankind.
  
  God's justification for the death of His only Son, Jesus, is not a pleasant thought. The method of death (crucifixion), the gruesome beatings prior to being placed on the cross, the humiliation of dying before a crowd of onlookers cheering as the Son of God was pouring out His blood for the sin of others, the blasphemy of the religious rulers of His time, and the sheer agony the Savior had to go through to provide a way for the sinner (you and me) to be accepted as a child of God was and is awkward and different than what any of us would have ever planned.
  
  It was not God's original plan for man. We know it was the rebellious heart of man that chose to disobey and go against the wonderful plans of a God who loved them. However, Jesus paid the debt for our sins for us so we could gain access to the kingdom of God. Salvation (forgiveness of sin for man) and deliverance from Satan's snare was God's Sovereign love in action. God planned our salvation, Jesus provided it, and the Holy Spirit prompts it (convicts and convinces us of our sin). God loves us so much that He gave His only Begotten Son so that we, by believing this truth, will be forever with Him.
  
  I don't understand as to how one can be "born again." It is beyond my ability to know how, I just know that the "born again" experience is real and is available to all who believe. I don't know why anyone would love me (a sinner) so much that He would give His life for the debt I owe...but, Jesus did. I accept the message of truth and will always (eternally) be grateful for my salvation. The means (the blood of Jesus) in which we obtain our salvation is not one that I would have chosen as the way to be saved from a wayward life and a downward road to the pit of hell. However, the way God did it justified my salvation. By faith I believe and by grace I have been made a child of the King.