by Patrick Rees
“Master please speak to us about doing what is right and explain what is meant by „The ends justify the means‟”.
He was a good student and the question was a fair question. How do you follow the right path and not make choices which are contrary to who we are and what all we hold dear and believe? I sat and thought about this question for a while because I did not want to give a half answer nor leave the impression parts of the question were not important. I began by saying:
“Do you know the term the „Golden Rule‟?”. Yes, was their answer. The definitions I got were down the line of, “The Golden Rule states do onto others as you would have others do onto you.”. Put in other words, treat others as you want to be treated.
“Correct. I believe the heart of your question is can we do evil in an attempt to do a greater good?”
They nodded in the affirmative. I could not answer „no‟ and move on to other topics. The
question had been asked for a reason.
I said, “You are not the same person you see yourself as compared to which others perceive you to be. Most people do not know you in any great detail. In fact to the casual observer the only piece of information they may have to tell them who you are is the current time. A spotless soul can become a complete and total fraud with the slightest wrong committed. Then your witness to the truth would be ruined.”
I asked, “What did Christ command of all of us?”. They were able to repeat the two greatest commandments. I smiled and said yes, they were correct. I finished by saying, “Can you love your neighbor and commit evil towards him even if you think the end result will be a greater good?”. They understood and there was silence. I hoped they would change what they had planned to do. I believe the silence meant they would.
Soldiers of Christ