The phrase "the ends justify the means" is common (whether or not that is true), and
we may use the word "means" to say something like "I'll go by whatever means I can". I
do a much better driving nails in a board when I do it by "means" of a hammer and not a
pair of pliers or a screwdriver.
God uses means, and He expects us to use the proper means He has provided for us. True
believers will obey God by using only the means He has provided. The apostle Paul exhorted
Timothy to take great pains with these things. Luke delineated these things in the Book of
Acts, chapter 2 (See below). Jude told believers to "earnestly contend" for the
doctrines that they had been taught, the beliefs that had been "once delivered" to the
saints (believers). We can see a picture of what happens when people use other means if
we look at two fellows in the Old Testament, Nadab and Abihu. They did what they thought
was right, what was "right in their own eyes" and must have thought they were doing a good
thing. They were not. (See Leviticus chapter 10).
Proper worship of the Lord, that part that is to be done publicly and corporately, is to
be done by "us", true believers, all coming together, as a body; in local congregations,
all coming as one body to the Lord of Lords, not to "do our own thing", to do what ever
we want, or to do things individually. "We" are coming to hear what the Lord has to tell
"us", through His chosen means (pastors in this case).
What are the means that God has prescibed, and we should therefore follow out of gratitude?
Hearing the proper teaching of the word of God, fellowship (with other true believers),
the Lord's supper properly administered and received, baptism, and prayer.
The Lord set aside the Sabbath day, one day in seven, for us to rest from our work, and,
to rest from our pleasures (see Isaiah 58:13-14). How this has been ignored in the church
in the United States in the last hundred years. Nevertheless, it is God's command to "us",
believers. The unbelievers will not obey this or any other of the Lord's commands, but
we must be careful to obey God, and not be like the world (unbelievers). Paul told the
Corinthians to "test yourselves, to see if you are in the faith", 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Unbelievers will not do this. Believers will.