How many times have you heard someone try to defend their actions for a cause they are advancing using the statement, “the end justifies the means”? In other words, irrespective of whether the “means” to get to the “end” was legal, ethical, moral, or even good for the common man, the “end” was the object that must be vigorously pursued. Note, this does not conclude that the “end” is good either; or that it should be pursued at all costs. Today we find this statement being used by many politicians (not necessarily vocally – but by their very actions); most often when they vote for legislation that is intrusive into and/or controlling of our lives. Unfortunately this “statement” [the end justifies the means] is not limited to the politicians. This statement is also used in many churches and especially by many preachers; again, not necessarily vocally – but evident by their actions. And now you say, “How so?” The term best used to describe their actions is “legalism”. The end goal of “legalism” is to control your life. And sadly, God’s Word is taken out of context and used as the “means” to achieve the “end” result. The legalist will do all he can to control every aspect of your life; albeit, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the number of hours you sleep, the places you shop, the job you hold, the friends you make, the people you can date, the person you can marry, even to the point of dictating when a married couple can have sexual relations.
As stated, most often the legalists will use God’s Word as their “means” to ultimately gain full control of their “victims’” lives. For example, consider how the following verse could be taken out of context by the legalists.
Hebrews 13:17,
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
The legalist is a “Pharisee” in nature by his piety in persuading his victims that he is so much more knowledgeable of the Scriptures than they, he is much more spiritual; thus, you have no chance of living a spiritual life without his help. Jesus openly rebuked the legalists Pharisees in Matthew 23.
Matthew 23:1-7 states,
“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.”
In the Book of Revelation we also find a similar rebuke of the legalists (also known as “Nicolaitans”) through the letters written to the churches in Ephesus and Pergamos.
Revelation 2:15 states,
“So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”
The term “Nicolaitans” means those who embraced the selfish, sensual practice of people-conquering, who were bossy, bullies, having their own way, living immorally, doing what was right in their own eyes. Consider the following example of a “Nicolaitan”.
3 John 1:9-11,
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
If you will note, those who promote “the end justifies the means” are most often bent on self-adulation [at your expense]. The Lord on the other hand states that if we will use as our “means” His Word through the leadership of His Spirit to pattern our lives after His will, the “end” will be “well done”. This “end” will be far superior to feeling the backslapping and to hear the approval of the legalists.
