Letter

I want to ask whether it is correct to justify the means by the results? In other words, is the way we do something justified by the results we get by doing it?

I ask this out of great concern over the movie ‘The Passion of Christ’. We all have heard the great reviews and the testimony of people coming to Christ through watching it and how it (has) so powerfully impacted lives. I believe it is a very powerful film and will be used to God’s glory. But the question remains to churches, pastors, and leaders here in Malaysia – is it the right thing in the eyes of God to show a pirated copy to your church? 

Yes, they are all pirated copies because it has not been released in the US on DVD yet. We can say we do not know, or maybe better, we do not want to know. What a testimony to people in the piracy business that the sale of this movie is so great. And that it is being bought by the righteous, holy, law-abiding Christians.
I was at a pastors fellowship where this was talked about and we were also talking about how the current PM is stomping out corruption and illegal activities. Then a pastor spoke up and said, if anyone knows how he can get a copy of the VCD to show his church, he wanted it. I about fell off my chair.

Another church we visited was going to show it and I spoke to the pastor and he decided not to and to wait for the original one. At another church, I preached from Colossians 3 on how we need to change the way we live and act when we come into the Kingdom of God. The pastor stood up and confirmed and enforced what was said and then announced that next week they would be viewing the pirated video. WHAT? That is what Jesus called hypocrisy.
I believe that this is a test and in many different ways, the fact that it is touching people justifies using a stolen copy. As long as it is in the name of Jesus and for the good of the kingdom of God, it is all right to steal and cheat. Yes, you are stealing from the film producer, Mel Gibson, as well as many others. 

Then we try to tell our people not to be liars, not to steal… This is a test of the character of the leadership of the Church. Will we pass the test? If we do not, we lose our right to stand before people to tell them to run their lives or business with truth and integrity because we have not done the same. There is a saying, ‘Practise what you preach’, that my children would quote to me. I think it is a wise statement for all of us.

Please pray over this issue, that the Church would take a right stand before God and men and trust that God will use it just as powerfully, and even more, when we use a valid copy for His glory. I do not believe that the results justify the means in this or any other matter. It did not for Jesus and it should not for us either if we are to be disciples of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

Just a Thought, 
(Name With-held)


Editor’s Note: This letter came to us via e-mail.