Bribery

We have a hope in the risen Christ who overcame betrayal. How did betrayal benefit Judas Iscariot by giving Jesus to the Pharisees after receiving the lump sum amount? Even at the last supper, the last warning was made when Jesus said, ‘one of you will betray the son of God.’ 

Who was God in the life of Judas Iscariot at that moment? 

All in turn asking Jesus at dinner,’is it me?’

Until Judas’s turn and Jesus said ‘YES.’

That profound love was coming true in spite of betrayal. Judas lost the opportunity unlike one of those robbers Jesus was crucified at the cross along with at Golgotha. 

I have a choice to say ‘no’ to taking and giving a bribe. I have a choice to live a life free from corruption to save innocent lives. Most service providers are prone to this vice that has permeated society to the bone marrow. I have personally experienced the pain of this vice while seeking justice through the local council leadership at the village level up to the courts of judicature. 

Together we can proactively have influence. Let us twinkle like littles stars as the nursery and Sunday School rhymes we learnt. Similarly, like glow worms that light their path in the dark despite their size amidst so much darkness. One by one they collectively show their presence and light their way through to their destination. So, we can be like the glow worms in the darkness of the world presenting light into daily living. The power that raised Christ Jesus from the grave and He himself being the Light of the world, his light will be reflected through our lives to live for Him.

In fact there are many warnings about corruption.  They are good reminders for the importance of integrity, honesty, and justice.  How can you fight corruption in your life? 

• Proverbs 11:3 (NIV): "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."

• Proverbs 15:27 (NIV): "The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live."

• Proverbs 17:23 (NIV): "The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice."

• Isaiah 1:23 (NIV): "Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them."

• Micah 7:3 (NIV): "Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire—they all conspire together."

Photo by Jesus Monroy Lazcano on Unsplash