Romans 3:7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?”
THE END JUSTIFY THE MEANS
The quote is very popular. It has been attributed to Niccolò Machiavelli, the famous Italian political philosopher. It is a sly way of saying that what matters is result even if the means/ process of getting that result is bad.
This idea has several names: "Situation Ethics," "Moral Relativity," "practicality," and other terms. One man called it "using the devil's tools to do God's work." Those who imbibe this unbiblical ideology aren't after the purity/ rightness of process, the concern is just about getting the desired result.
Our God is not a God of "the end justifies the means". The means is very important to Him just as the end is. There are plethora of scriptures that proves that the way and manner( means) we go about a thing matters to God. They don't go unnoticed.
In 1 Sam15:3, 10-23, God instructed Saul to destroy all the Amalekites and their flocks, but Saul kept the best animals to offer sacrifice to God. Offering sacrifice to God was "a good work," but it did not justify disregarding God's command.
In verse 11, God declared that Saul did not obey His commandments. "To obey is better than sacrifice" (v22). God loves sacrifice but not at the expense of the right means- obedience to His commands. The end did not justify a different means from what God had specified.
You can't be stealing and defrauding people yet think God will accept your tithe and offering. In as much as we encourage people to honour God with their substance, it should not be at the expense of corruption. God doesn't sanctify stolen money.
What about Nadab and Abihu? Their goal was to offer incense to worship God but they used a strange fire different from what God specified. Their action resulted in death( Lev10:1-2). They learned too late that the end did not justify using a different means.
Further, in 1 Chronicles 13:6,7,9,10 - David and Israel thought it was "good" to bring the ark of the covenant back among them (vv 2,4). The end or goal was "good." But while transporting it by ox cart, Uzzah touched it to keep it from falling. God killed him. Why? In 1 Chronicles 15:2,12-15 - God had appointed that the ark should be carried on poles by priests and Levites. No one else could touch it [Num. 4:15-20].
God killed Uzzah because they "did not consult Him about the proper order." Moving the ark was good, but God had specified the "proper order" to use. The end did not justify using a means different from what God said.
Jesus did not mince words in Matthew 7:21-23 when he said that many will come with great testimonies of their good exploits( healing, deliverance, miracles, etc) in ministry on that day but He will say, "depart from me, ye workers of iniquity".
Their goals ( to operate in the miraculous & do good works) are good but God is concerned about the purity life of the person behind those manifestations and the rightness of means used in achieving those goals.
The life a believer should not be hinged on the end justifying the means, God is concerned with every step and process involved. Don't think that paying tithe of stolen money will make God change His mind about His hatred for stealing.
That testimony of academic success, promotion or employment gotten through malpractice and sexual immorality may motivate people in the church to pray more and expect a miracle but it doesn't move God a bit because you got the right thing the wrong way.
God's standard won't change because of anyone. Paul says, "Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity"(2Tim2:19).
Father, I receive the grace to do things right and to pursue my goals rightly in Jesus name.