‘The end justifies the means’ is a very common statement, especially amongst consequentialists. This is a school of thought that says that it does not matter how you came about your result, the most important thing is that you have a result. If you’ll have to kill to win elections, it’s all good provided the election is won. If you’ll have to cheat to pass, it’s okay provided your grades are up. If we have to kill a hundred people to find a cure for HIV/AIDS, it’s alright provided a cure is found. I can go on and on.
Interestingly, this consequentialism theory has eaten deeply into the fabrics of some churches. It does not matter what you do as a Pastor, your success is justified by the membership strength of your church. You will pull multitudes to your crusades provided there will be miracle galore, how it happens is no one’s business.
Well, the new normal is this: “THE MEANS JUSTIFIES THE END”.
As much as your results validates your abilities, it is the process that justifies it. I understand that it is difficult to break out of a dogma, especially if you are comfortable with it, but I challenge you today to sit on the other side of the table.
If the process is right, the result will last.