Without a doubt, we can say, that when we admire someone, we hope that this person will give us an example to follow and that we even want to imitate this person. Recently, on August 28, 2020, actor Chadwick Boseman passed away. He was best known for his role as Black Panther, beyond his exceptional performance in the film, we can also extract the qualities and virtues that were shown according to what God wants us to represent, mainly, his anti-corruption attribute. For just as we have both fictional and real characters from people who have risen up against corruption, we also have biblical characters who provide us with the guidelines to follow in how to confront corruption and the moral foundations to live a healthy and whole life in God. Nonetheless, even when we find people with many good qualities, there will always be traits that are not necessarily characteristics that God desires for us to imitate. Therefore, we must ask God for discernment in our decisions.
Let us start by discussing the following verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.22 Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.
In the previous verse, the Apostle Paul gives us a clear instruction that before we do anything, before we proceed in any direction, or talk about something, the first thing we must do is test what is happening in our environment, because even if there are indications that some things may be good, it does not mean that everything in that environment or whatever was said is good. Even further, if we lack discernment and we fail to prove the good things, we could fall into evil deeds, or, in other words, corruption.
Now, in order to know what can lead us to this depravity or the alteration of order, let us define corruption.
Corruption is: "a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct[i];" another definition is: “dishonest or immoral behaviour, usually by people who have important positions.[ii]” Furthermore, Strong’s concordance indicates, that corruption comes from the Hebrew "phthora," which means "corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition.[iii]"
By analyzing the definition of corruption, we can infer that corruption has been part of humanity’s history since the beginning of time. However, many think that corruption can exist only in a government, yet, it is not the only institution or organization where it can occur. This rottenness, misrepresentation of order, can exist in a government, as in a company, in an institution, as in any organization, in a family, or even, within a church. This is one of the reasons that Apostle Paul tells us is that we must test everything, in other words, we must ask for discernment so that we can abstain from any evil that may lead us to alter the Godly order.
Let us take another biblical example: Joseph, known as the Dreamer, the son of the patriarch, Jacob. Joseph suffered injustices throughout his life because of the envy of many, to such extent that his brothers sold him in exchange for some silver coins, his employer's wife accused him of abuse, and even those he helped in prison forgot about him. Although others had abused their power when Joseph had no way to defend himself, Joseph always remained unalterable, incorruptible, fastened to the unshakeable Rock - God. Moreover, he was later appointed second in command in Egypt, because God was with him all the time. Joseph reaches such maturity in his character, that he aided his brethren, the same ones that sold him unto slavery. Even though Joseph, could have avenged himself or made use of his governmental position to oppress them, his character remained unwavering. Joseph never allowed anything unrelated to God's will to corrupt his character but remained whole in his attitude towards the Lord. On top of that, what was once done against him, for abuse of power, by his brothers, by his employer's wife, God converted for good, for He saw the integrity of Joseph's heart and his faithfulness. Joseph’s unalterable character led him to fulfill his God-given purpose. Let us read one of his meditations on this:
Genesis 50:20 New Living Translation (NLT)
20You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
Just as we can observe in the film Black Panther, where King T'challa fights against Killmonger, a family member - corrupted in character, who wanted to use Wakanda’s resources for personal benefit, we can see many cases of men and women of God who rose up against the depravity of those who wanted to acquire what did not belong to them or that by the vilification of their ideas had become corrupted. Moses, the Israelite Deliver, is an example of someone who was brought by God to face corruption. Moses, originally did not believe he was capable of fulfilling his God-given mission, however, when God assigns a task, God does not choose someone because he or she is capable, but because He is the one who gives the support, the endorsement, and the legal power to perform that duty.
Let us review the following verse:
Exodus 4:12 New Living Translation (NLT)
12Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
In the previous verse, we can observe the following:
God gives an order, the moment, He tells Moses to “go”, the order must be executed as soon as possible, there should be no delay, the action needs to be immediate.
After beginning the assigned task, God clearly tells Moses, that He will be with him. That is, if we are afraid, or think we are incompetent, or that perhaps we are not qualified, that is precisely what implies, that God is the one who is in control, for we will act because of His power and with His Spirit, not our own means.
Besides saying that He will be with Moses, God also said He would instruct him. In other words, in order to accomplish God's plan, God is clearly telling him that communication, koinonia, and the intimacy between Him and Moses will be constant and frequent, for the mission he was assigned to do, God would be with him, so Moses could confront the corruption represented by the pharaoh.
In this time, critical to humanity, in which God has commanded us to test everything carefully and that He allows us to approach Him if we walk in integrity, we will face situations when He will ask us to perform tasks that seem out of our control, and we might even think that it is overwhelming. But, if God has called us to do something, we need to recognize, that His command is accompanied by His endorsement, His authorization and, therefore, His protection.
Now, let us reflect. What has God called you to do? What should you test and examine? These are the moments, in which we must always make sure that whatever happens we are fastened to the True Vine so that we can stand firm with our hope in Christ, hence we can nurture our faith, remain unalterable, and grow in our character in Christ Jesus. And if we are steadfast in Him, let us remember:
Romans 8:31 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
31What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]
Dear readers, I encourage you, that in these times, we must remain unwavering, incorruptible, and firm in Christ Jesus, that whatever happens, we may have an immovable character and hence for us to reach our final goal and, as the Apostle Paul said, for us to obtain the crown of righteousness with the coming of our Lord[iv].
If this blessed you, I invite you to share this post. And if you have not accepted Jesus yet or you want to reconcile with Him today, I urge you to read the following prayer aloud:
"Lord Jesus, I ask you for forgiveness for my sins, for I know my sins separate me from you. I recognize you, as my only, sufficient, and true Saviour. I break every covenant, with the world, with the flesh, and with the enemy. I thank you, for the sacrifice on the cross, I acknowledge that your Blood cleanses me from all sin and today I start a new beginning. I ask that, from now onwards, your word be the lamp to guide my feet and that your Holy Spirit guides my decisions in everything I do. Amen."
And if you prayed this today, contact me at kltapiahernandez@gmail.com, I'd love to hear from you. We are a family in Christ, we are here to support each other. May God guide you and protect you!
[iv] 2 Timothy 4:8
Comments