These Lies Must Stop BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION (CONCLUSION): FIVE THINGS EACH OF US SHOULD DO LIE NO 6: In Nigeria, Christians cannot avoid paying and taking bribes, God understands. THE TRUTH: God’s standards are clear and unambiguous. He hates bribes and expects us to shun it. God does not expect us to conform; He wants us to stand out. He does not want us to be overcome by the prevalent evil culture of bribery and corruption, but wants us to overcome it. Following are 5 steps each of us should take: 1. Make a firm commitment never to pay or take a bribe again, regardless of the consequence. Paul endured two years in jail rather than pay a bribe. Acts 24:24-27. Put plainly, a commitment to totally shun paying and taking bribes will come at a great cost, and God expects us to bear the cost. . 2. Encourage others to make the same commitment, network with them and collaborate. To be effective, this “Integrity Network” at the place of work, at sectoral/industrial level and in communities, must transcend denominations. We must work together regardless of our denominations. In fact, we should expand the network to include colleagues of other faiths willing to practice integrity. When the bible talks about righteousness exalting a nation, the emphasis is on practice and lifestyle, not denomination or faith. 3. Encourage your organization to adopt the “don’t give don’t take principle” Contend for integrity in your sphere of influence. Stand up against corruption. Speak up against it. Do it prayerfully but firmly. Ps 15:1 & 4 Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? 2 Anyone who 4 speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, Living Bible 4. Be willing to make the hard choices if that is the only way: accept a “non- juicy” posting as a policeman or Customs Officer; forgo promotions if need be; and ultimately, be ready to resign if after spending sufficient time in prayer, you are convinced that integrity and your job don’t go together. 5. Most pastors hardly ever rebuke bribery and corruption; much less take concrete steps to ensure that corrupt money is not given as tithes and offerings. If this is the order in your church, prayerfully and respectfully but firmly demand that your Pastor make changes. Many erroneously interpret this as judging God’s servants; it is not. You are in fact helping him. Jesus would not keep quiet in the face of evil. You can do this by referring the Deacons, Elders, Assistant Pastors and the Senior Pastor to the relevant posts on this Page. You can seek audience with your Head of Department or whoever you relate with in church leadership, politely communicate your concerns, and request that it be relayed to the Senior Pastor. Don’t condone evil. Confront it, albeit respectfully and prayerfully. 1 Tim 5:19 & 20 Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. RSV Will you enlist in God’s army to push for the realization of Nigeria’s destiny? Would you join an “Integrity Network”? POSER: If habitual giving and taking of bribes will disqualify from making heaven, will you make it? SCRIPTURES Mark 9:43-48 If your hand does wrong, cut it off. Better live forever with one hand than be thrown into the unquenchable fires of hell with two! 45-46 If your foot carries you toward evil, cut it off! Better be lame and live forever than have two feet that carry you to hell. 47 And if your eye is sinful, gouge it out. Better enter the Kingdom of God half blind than have two eyes and see the fires of hell, 48 where the worm never dies, and the fire never goes out- Living Bible Mark 9:43-50 (“These Lies Must Stop Translation) If getting that contract requires a bribe, forgo it. If getting that deal needs paying off the Contract Manager, forfeit the contract. Stop receiving bribes even it means you have to cut down on a lot of things and suffer some hardship. You may in fact have to quit a job if the only way to continue is to keep paying or receiving bribes. Don’t put your eternal life at risk by joining in this prevalent way of life. Acts 24:24-27 A few days later Felix came with Drusilla, his legal wife, a Jewess. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned with them about righteousness and self- control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified. Go away for now, he replied, and when I have a more convenient time, Ill call for you again. 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him from time to time and talked with him. 27 Two years went by in this way; then Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, he left Paul in chains. TLB Rom 12:2 Dont copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person. Living Bible Rom 12:2 (“These Lies Must Stop Translation”) Dear Nigerian Christian, don’t copy the behavior and customs of Nigeria, particularly the pervasive culture of bribery and corruption. You cannot really please God until you are different from the average Nigerian by taking a firm stand against bribery and corruption in every form. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to please you. Help me to overcome this plague of bribery and corruption in Jesus name. God make me a part of your army of integrity to fulfill Nigeria’s destiny in Jesus name. Amen. Please continue to follow us on Facebook TheseLiesMustStop and Twitter @LiesMustStop; share our Posts and invite your friends to Like the Facebook page.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 03:06:41 +0000
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