The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has reiterated that corruption is rampant because many Christians, who are meant to be a peculiar people and make a difference, have compromised their values.
Speaking during the church’s annual convention, focused on the theme “Heaven,” Adeboye called on Christians to reject a lifestyle of double standards.
He recounted an instance where one of his spiritual daughters was asked to inflate a N3 million contract to N33 million.
In his words: “We talk about corruption in Nigeria. Why do you think corruption has become so deep? It is because we Christians, who are supposed to be peculiar people, are not making any difference. It’s so difficult to even know who is who.
“You must be as pure as light; people must be able to see you at a distance and know that this is a candidate for heaven. In your behavior, character, you must be different. If you want to compromise because of promotion, let them take their promotion because you are a peculiar people.
“The world will hate you because of your standard, because your standard is that of God.”
Narrating the incident, the revered cleric shared how a lady, one of his daughters in faith, was awarded a road contract in a particular state in Nigeria. The lady proposed a cost of N3 million, but she was asked to inflate the cost to N33 million. She refused, saying, “I am a child of God, how will I spend the money?” The officials were baffled by her integrity.
Adeboye also shared another example: “Another child of mine told another story. She applied for a contract. They gave her a contract to tar a road. She got to the road and found that it was already tarred. She came back and told them there must have been a mistake. They said, ‘What is your problem? Collect your money and give us our own.'”
He emphasized that corruption could have been eradicated in Nigeria if Christians remained steadfast and refused to compromise, even in the face of adversity.
Continuing his sermon, Adeboye revealed that he had been sober lately, as he nearly fell out of God’s favor during the Friday Holy Ghost Service. He explained, “Holiness means total obedience to God. I have been sober since yesterday.
It took special love that God did not knock me on the head. God wanted to talk, but I wanted to preach a sermon that I had prepared.
He told me, ‘You have done fine enough.’ He wanted me to get out of the way. As He was talking, I was interrupting.”
He warned against acting contrary to God’s will, stating that no one can love the church more than its owner, God Himself.
“You are dealing with God Almighty. You can’t love the church more than the owner of the church.
When He says this is how I want to go and you try to do it your way, you are on your own.”
