THE BIBLE DECLARES, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10) Whenever I read this verse, I am reminded of the story of Noah. In his time, God saw the wickedness of humankind and decided to send a great flood. In the midst of corruption, God found one righteous man, Noah, who walked faithfully with Him. This story presents a serious and important question. Will there be any righteous person like Noah in our generation, in the whole of Northeast India?
Let us reflect on our lives and our relationship with God and one another. What is the purpose of our creation?
The Bible makes it clear: The primary purpose of humanity is to glorify God, to worship Him, and to enjoy fellowship with Him and with one another.
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When we lift our eyes and behold the world around us, we see that the fear of the Lord, that holy reverence which once governed hearts and homes is fading from our families, our churches, and our nation; and as in the days of the Judges, when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” so now our generation too walks in the shadow of moral decay and lawlessness.
For when the voice of spiritual leadership grows silent, the people lose their way and sin, once grieved over and confessed, is now paraded and praised as if it were virtue itself. Without spiritual leadership, people wander without direction, and sin becomes normalised.
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Even within the Christian community, we find compromise and corruption not only in the individual life, but at home, church, organisation and society. Many who serve as pastors, missionaries, evangelists, or church elders have lost sight of the holiness of their calling. Some have purchased jobs or promotions by paying bribes. Others, employed in government offices, draw salaries without faithfully attending work.
Some pastors or leaders help the poor, needy, widows and sick, and in return they take money. Such acts show not a fear of God, but a love of money and yet, when I look around today, I see that the fear of God has greatly diminished.
Like in the days of the Judges, when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” our times are marked by moral decay and lawlessness. Without godly leadership, people lose direction. In those ancient days, Israel had no king, and the absence of godly leadership led to spiritual decline.
Today, the Christian community in Northeast India faces a similar crisis—longing for leaders who can guide, mould, and inspire people to love and fear God.
A Crisis of Integrity
In every sphere of life, we see injustice and compromise. Even among those called to serve— pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and church elders—there are some who have forsaken integrity for personal gain. Some have purchased their positions through bribes or political influence.
Others, employed in government service, accept salaries without faithfully fulfilling their duties. These actions reveal not a fear of God, but a disregard for His holiness. Such compromises are dangerous. They show how easily believers can lose sight of their calling.
When fear of God fades, self-interest takes its place. We must remember that leadership in God’s kingdom is not about power, but about service, humility, and holiness.
Christian Leaders in Public Life
Christian bureaucrats and government officials are in a unique position to serve God through their vocation. Like Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, they can demonstrate integrity, wisdom, and godly fear in environments filled with temptation. They can be like Cornelius, the Roman centurion described in Acts 10, who feared God, gave generously, and prayed continually. Through Peter’s preaching, he and his household came to faith and were baptised by the Holy Spirit.
Sadly, many Christian public servants have fallen into the same patterns of corruption as the world around them. Some, brought up in Christian homes and churches, have traded their spiritual heritage for material comfort. They participate in bribery, political manipulation, and dishonest gain, then attempt to quiet their conscience by donating to the church. But God cannot be mocked— He desires righteousness, not offerings tainted by injustice.
The Role of Political Leaders
In a democracy like India, our elected representatives are like kings in ancient times. They wield great power and have the responsibility to govern with justice and wisdom. They can be ambassadors of God’s truth and righteousness, bringing blessing to their people.
The Bible gives us inspiring examples: Joseph, who rose from slavery to become governor of Egypt and saved nations from famine through divine wisdom; Moses, who led God’s people out of bondage with humility and courage; and Nehemiah, who rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls despite opposition through prayer, perseverance, and the fear of God.
Yet, sadly, many of our politicians pursue wealth, power, and personal glory instead of serving with integrity and humility. They build their own castles while neglecting the needs of the people.
As the saying goes, “The most corrupt and egotistic people are the politicians.” But it should not be so among those who profess to fear God.
A Call to Return to God
It is time for a change of heart and attitude. We must return to the teachings we learned from our parents, our Sunday school teachers, and the Word of God. To love and to fear God must once again become the guiding principle of our daily lives. Whether we are pastors, bureaucrats, or politicians, God has given us our positions not to glorify ourselves or our tribes and communities, but to glorify Him alone.
As Nehemiah prayed, “O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” — Nehemiah 1:11
God’s Word Against Corruption
The Bible speaks strongly against corruption, describing it as moral decay, injustice, and deceit. It condemns bribery, the perversion of justice, and the abuse of power—especially against the poor, the fatherless, and the widows.
God’s Word reminds us that corrupt actions lead to separation from Him, while integrity brings His blessing. Therefore, we are called to live lives of honesty, purity, and spiritual incorruptibility.
When the fear of God once again fills our hearts, we will see transformation—not only in our churches, but in our families, our workplaces, and our society.
Let us, therefore, humble ourselves before God. Let us repent of our corruption and hypocrisy, and ask the Lord to renew within us a holy fear of His name. Only then will righteousness flourish again in our land, and the glory of God be revealed through His people.
(The author is Pastor, The Journey Church, New Delhi. He can be reached at letlal.haokip@gmail.com. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ukhrul Times. Ukhrul Times values and encourages diverse perspectives.)