Topic: Do the Right Thing Preacher: Pastor Otive Igbuzor
Text: James 4: 17 Date: 9/7/23
Introduction
This year 2023, on the 11th July, Africa will be marking the seventh anti-corruption day. 11th July, 2003 was the date that the African Union adopted the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Seven years ago, the African Union adopted the 11th July every year as African Anti-corruption day. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of corruption on the African continent and share good lessons and practices on how to deal with the evil of corruption.
Last year the Palace of Priests Assembly (PPA)/Priests Peace and Justice Initiative (PPJ) and partners implementing the SHUN CORRUPTION project adopted the Sunday before 11th July every year as our Anti-Corruption Sunday.
The Problem of Corruption
Corruption is a global problem. Over the years, several scholars, development workers, activists, politicians, international organizations, public affairs commentators and the general public have given attention to the problem of corruption and its attendant effects on society. The problem is not new to humankind even though it has reached unprecedented proportions in recent years.
Africa has a corruption problem. It has been documented that Africa loses more than $50 billion annually through illicit financial outflows.
Nigeria has a corruption problem. Corruption is deep, systemic, and widespread in Nigeria. The country has been consistently rated by Transparency International (TI) to be among the most corrupt countries in the world in its Corruption Perception Index. Several probes by the National Assembly indicate that there is a high level of corruption in the country. Anti-Corruption agencies such as ICPC and EFCC are handling several corruption cases. Several governments in Nigeria have launched anti-corruption programme since 1966 when corruption was mentioned as one of the reasons for the military to overthrow the civilian government. Despite the plethora of legislations and agencies fighting corruption in Nigeria, corruption has remained widespread and pervasive partly because the norms and behaviour of citizens have remained unchanged.
The Church and Anti-Corruption
The Bible is an anti-corruption manual, and the Church should show the light and the way in the fight against corruption.
Church leaders have great influence on the norms and behaviour of congregants. The behaviour of church members is greatly influenced by church leaders e.g. if Church leader permits men to perm hair, majority of members will perm hair. If church leaders speak against watching of TV, majority of members will obey.
Our research revealed that there are at least 115 bible verses against corruption. Examples include:
Ex 20:15- Thou shalt not steal. (KJV)
Ex 20:17- hou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (KJV)
1 Thess 4: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (KJV)
1 Thess 5: 22- Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV)
Despite the position that God has placed the church and Christians to show example against corruption, our research has revealed drivers of corruption within and outside the church.
Drivers of corruption within the church include:
- Greed and indiscipline
- Pressure to meet societal expectations.
- Emphasis on material possessions and prosperity instead of putting priority on the spirit as the bible commands.
- Inordinate competition among leaders and the laity
- Using physical signs such as sizes of auditorium, make of cars, shoes, chains and wrist watches as signs of success in ministry.
- Blind followership by congregants even when they see signs of error and deviation from the scriptures.
- Lack of accountability mechanism within the church
- Lack of income generation activities for some pastors
Drivers of Corruption outside the church include:
- Normalisation of corruption in society
ii. Pressure to meet societal expectations within the context of poor reward system.
iii. Erosion of noble social norms of integrity and probity.
iv. Greed and indiscipline.
Do the Right Thing
The exhortation to you this morning as a Christian is to do the right thing.
James 4: 17 -Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (KJV)
For us, this is the definition of corruption for a Christian. For any Christian holding a position of authority, knowing what is good to do and refusing to do it is corruption.
The right thing for a Christian to do with regard to corruption is to: shun, speak and take action against corruption.
There are Christian ethics based on the word of God (the Bible) which should guide the behaviour of Christian adherents. The ethics include holiness, faithfulness, worship, humanitarian spirit, liberality, self-discipline, defence of the poor and oppressed, opposition to cruelty, deceit, luxury and selfishness (Ex 20:3-17; Deut 6:5; Luke 3:10-14; Matt 22: 35-40; Colossians; 1 Peter; John 13:34; John 15: 20; John 13:14-15; Ps 14:6; Is 25:4; Ps 140:12).
The ethical standard of a Christian is higher than the average person.
We should take lesson from Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He was always doing the right thing at the right time. He began his earthly ministry at the age of 30. Within three and a half years, he completed everything he came to do- to preach the kingdom of God, train his disciples and died on the cross. He was focused on doing the will of the father.
He spoke against corrupt officials.
Matt 12: 34 -O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (KJV)
He took action against corrupt people in the temple.
Matt 21: 12-13 -And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (KJV)
How can you do the right thing?
- Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ: You cannot do it by power but by His grace. Luke 22: 42- Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (KJV)
- Trust in God and follow a directed path: God has created a path for everyone. Ask God to direct your path. Prov 3: 5-6- Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV)
- Pray for wisdom: Wisdom is the application of knowledge. It is not enough to know what the scripture says. Apply it in life. James 1: 5- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (KJV)
- Prioritise the spirit: If you prioritise the spirit, the soul and body will be aligned. Matt 6: 33- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)
- Be sensitive to your environment: The environment is corrupt. Any time you receive a proposal to make money with little or no effort, check it properly. God will open doors for you but not corrupted doors. Rev 3:8- I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (KJV)
- Be sensitive to the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit.
- Take action: Always follow the guide: God said it. I believe it. That settles it. I will now do it. (Take Action). When you see corruption, shun it, speak against it and take action.
Challenge
Are you a child of God? Do you see the problem that corruption has caused within and outside the church? Are you following the example of Jesus? Have you surrendered fully to Jesus? Do you trust God? Are you following a directed path? Are you praying for wisdom consistently? Do you prioritise the spirit? Are you sensitive to the spirit and your environment? Are you taking actions?
Conclusion
As a child of God, you have been called from darkness into His marvellous light. You are a light to the World. The bible is the tour guide of all Christians, and it is an anti-corruption manual. Jesus Christ showed us the example. He shunned corruption, spoke against it and took action. Follow the example of Jesus. Shun, speak and take action against corruption.
Prayer Point
Father, empower me to shun, speak and take action against corruption.