Have you ever needed salvation? So much so you grew insufficient in hope, and just when the last thread of hope was about to snap, a savior came...
What if you were framed... you were about to be punished... and then a defender came?
What if your marriage was at the brink of collapse... and then one word from an elder turned everything around?
Have you ever witnessed jungle justice in Nigeria? What an eyesore! A convergence of brutes. Terrifyingly pitiful, especially when the witnesses are false and they've got hold of the wrong lad.
Just when the lighters have been lit and the man is about to be set ablaze, he now reeks of fuel and perspiration. He's hoped to see, amongst the crowd, a neighbor, a friend. He's hoped his mother, somehow, would show up and scream, "Stop! That's my son! He's not a thief!"
But none of such. He's petrified, and his neurons are in disarray. He couldn't tremble any better... and his spirit is broken. "I'm innocent" has fallen on deaf ears. He is in his worst state, and he loses hope. Just when he feels he has taken the last blow, he sees the lighters turned on to set him on fire; then he shuts his eyes.
"Stop!" a man calls out.
All eyes land on a spotless man, deprived of youth, who looks nothing like wealth but he says, "I would pay the cost of what was stolen. Let him go..." And because he is a man of authority, who has policemen right behind him, no one dares to argue.
The strange noble of high caliber is the salvation of the condemned man. The man never cared if the lad is innocent or guilty... he rid him of his conviction, and he snatched him out of the snare.
What if the man had said, "Tie me instead and let him go?"
Nigerians would ask, "Why take Panadol for another man's headache? See mumu."
But greater love hath no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends. Sacrifice.
Isaiah 53:5–7 KJV
"[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
Oppression is injustice. And salvation is justification in the face of unfairness.
We all were born into an oppressive system. Families are oppressed with generational curses of miscarriages, sudden strange ailments, pathological diseases at certain ages—divorces, sexual misconduct, robbery, et al.
But Christ was introduced into the world to destroy these works. He brought the message of salvation... he came to show the way, to give truth, and to bring light. He destroyed the patterns and set a new order... that if any man should be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away, and all things have become brand new. Tear rubber.
He paid a price to prove us righteous, guiltless, and without blemish.
So we could shout it out:
"I'm free!"
"I'm identified with Christ—no, no, no, you can't oppress me... I am abiding under the protection of a man of authority. No more sickness, death, afflictions, pains, depression. No condemnation!"
"I'm saved from the oppressive wings of the beasts of this world. Untouchable, unlimited."
They say, "No, you can't have this. No, you can't be here. No, you can't exist on the earth; there are too many people."
You say, "All things are mine! I'm an heir of all things... the Lord made the earth for all of us. You can leave, but I'm going to be here! Go and die, but I shall live and declare the goodness of God."
They say, "You bloody sinner, I caught you in Ikorodu... I know your history, I know your story."
You say, "There is therefore now no condemnation... by his stripes, I'm healed. You can't convict me... I'm pronounced guiltless and sinless. Guess what? The blood of Jesus cleanses me of all things. I am a new creation!"
They say, "You hypocrite!"
You say, "I know who I am... I'm the apple of his eyes. I don't have to pretend to be holy and accepted—no! I am loved, called, and chosen. I am priceless...! Your bitterness and frustration have got nothing on me, brother. Guess who's got my back? Papa J!"
"Imma tell everybodyyyy... he's saved me... yooooo!"
"I gotta roll it... good on good, positive vibes only, man. I'm outta here. See you at the top."
There's no bondage for you. For all who dare to believe and accept the message of salvation, there is no conviction.
The Lord has purchased salvation for you... receive it.
He's counted the number of hair strands on your head... He's given you a number, and a royal name.
Who can lay a charge on God's elect? Nobodyyy...!
Let them go ahead and touch you first; after the Lord Jesus has suffered for you.
We shall see.
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