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GOOD FRIDAY MESSAGE: BY HIS STRIPES, WE ARE HEALED – Pastor (Dr.) L.O Oladele

Published

5 years ago

April 9, 2020

BY HIS STRIPES, WE ARE HEALED – Pastor (Dr.) L.O Oladele

Text: 1 Peter 2:24: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed”.

For illustration purpose, let us consider the Bible in Basic English Version of the same text. 1 Peter 2:24: He took our sins on himself, giving his body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by his wounds we have been made well.

INTRODUCTION: The greatest, most inconceivable, most mysterious and most infinite love that God has ever shown to man is seen in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, that is, the coming of Jesus Christ from His glory and becoming a man, and also His atoning death and resurrection which we are marking at this time. Whether man knows and accepts it or not, Jesus Christ came and died for the sins of the world, thereby establishing his Messiahship (1 John 3:1).

In this introduction, you will agree with me that Apostle Peter was no doubt one of the closest Apostles to our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on his earthly ministry. The record of Apostle Peter therefore should be seen as a factual record of an eye witness, and one of an active participator of Jesus’ ministry, who witnessed His death and resurrection. This epistle, written about 30 years after the death of Jesus (i.e. AD 60), is incontrovertible and infallible, which should be taken as a sacrosanct piece to be believed by all men. In the text, he said, Jesus Christ came and took our sins upon himself, gave His body to be nailed on the cross of the Calvary, being dead to sins, that we might have new life in righteousness and by His wounds, we are made well”. What a credible account from an old Apostle like Peter!

From this text, therefore, we can see succinctly the fact, mode and nature of Jesus’ death, and the purpose, consequences and blessings for believers across ages. On the fact and mode of Jesus’ crucifixion, the text says “who Himself bare our sins in his own body on the tree”, meaning that Jesus physically offered himself and He was hanged on the tree.

Jesus Christ was hanged on the tree for my sins and your sins and for the sins of the whole world.

Also, on the purpose of His crucifixion, “that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness”, meaning that purpose to save humanity that has already been befallen with woe and perdition of sins. The consequence of His crucifixion is for us to lives of righteousness. While the immediate benefit on earth is that by the stripes, suffering and death of Jesus, we are made healed/made well.

THE FACT OF JESUS CRUCIFIXION

1. It was foretold by God (Genesis. 3:15; Hebrews 2:14).

2. Psalmist and Prophets also bear witness to it (Psalms 22: 1, 17-18; Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53: 7-12; Zechariah 13:7).

3. Jesus Christ Himself testified about it (Matthew12:40; Luke 9:22; John 2:19-21).

4. Paul the Apostle also testified about the fact of Crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 17:3; Acts 26: 22-23; 1 Corinthians 1: 17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:10-11).

5. This crucifixion was fulfilled (Matthew 27; Mark 15; John 19).

6. There are also many infallible proofs by archaeologists across centuries and ages that have proved that Jesus actually came to the world and died for the sins of the world. All you need to do is to believe in Him as the only begotten son of God.

MODE AND NATURE OF JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION

1. He died by crucifixion, that is, physical hanging, nailed to the cross (Matthew 27:35; Mark15:24; Luke 23:33).

2. It was an ignoble, shameful, painful and detestable death (Hebrews 12:2).

3. It was an accursed death (Galatians 3:13).

4. His death was voluntary, nobody could have killed Jesus Christ, He offered himself (John 10: 17-18).

5. It was a vicarious substitutionary death (John 10: 11).

PURPOSE OF JESUS CRUCIFIXION

a. Jesus died to make reconciliation between God and Man; the death of Jesus Christ on the cross reconciles man back to God (Romans 5: 6-11; Ephesians 2:13-16).

b. He came and died in order to redeem man (Isaiah 53:4-12; Ephesians 1:6-7; Colossians 1:14).

c. Crucifixion of Jesus was to purge our sins (Zechariah 13:1; Luke 24: 46-47; John 1-29).

d. To secure forgiveness (Acts 5:30-31; Romans 4:25).

e. To offer salvation, i.e. to save mankind (John 3:14-17; Romans 6:3-5; Gal. 2:20).

CONSEQUENCE OF JESUS’ DEATH

From the purpose of Jesus death stated above, the crucifixion of Jesus therefore avails and provides all believers the opportunity to live unto righteousness through the atonement and ransom paid by shedding His precious blood on the cross; we are free from sin, have received divine mercy, and are qualified to reign with Him (Romans 10:4; Phil.3:9).

THE BENEFIT OF CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST

The immediate benefit of Christ’s crucifixion, if you believe, is that “By His Stripes, Ye Are Healed”. The healing has been completed on the cross, you only need to key into it, the New basic English Bible says “By His wounds you are made well”.

Jesus was whipped, that is, flogged during his trial before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council), he was whipped by Pilate and even soldiers. He received wounds because of you and I.

The forty stripes received by Jesus cover all the calamities of man, all the troubles of man, and even all diseases you can mention. Even Coronavirus, the stripes of Jesus cover them all.

The healing received from His stripes means total salvation, blessings, joy, healing and wellness from sickness, poverty, epidemics, pandemics, troubles, attacks. Oh! What powerful blood shed on the cross of Calvary.

CONCLUSION

By the authority of this message ‘By His stripes’, I decree, your life will be healed, made well, healed of all agonies, failures, and weeping; the whole world will be healed of the pandemic rampaging the whole of humanity.

Note however; Have you received that salvation? Have you received that forgiveness of sins? Have you received purging of sins? Have you been redeemed? Have you been reconciled to God? If the purpose of Jesus’ death for you has not been fulfilled, why don’t you use this time to decide that the purpose of His death for you will not be in vain. Why not amend your life? Why not stop that life of sins? Why not you stop following the devil, flesh and the world? Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour so that all these good purposes will be fulfilled on you because, if you fail to effect changes, it shall be eternal damnation. May this not be your portion in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord Jesus Christ, I appreciate your atoning death for my salvation on the cross of Calvary.

2. Lord Jesus, as you gave your life for me on the cross, let me also give my life, my obedience, my holiness, and my total service to you throughout my lifetime.

3. My Saviour, I confess my sins and soberly amend my ways so that I would not nail you to the cross anymore.

4. Jesus the Son of God, by your stripes I am healed, I’m delivered, I’m saved, I’m heaven-bound. AMEN!

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Tax Reform Bills: Extricating Nigeria From Economic Cesspit

Published

4 days ago

April 8, 2025

The Gleamer

By Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi

On March 13, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the Tax Reform Bills. The Senate is expected to debate the bills after its current recess, resuming plenary on April 29, 2025. Once the Senate passes them, they will be sent to the President for assent. This is the final stretch.

What comes to mind when you hear the word reform? What do you think of when you hear Tax Reform Bill? After all this time, many Nigerians now have a clearer understanding of what is happening. But when you think of it, who do you envision? There is no other person than the man of the people: Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

After taking office in May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited a situation that required urgent action. Our tax system had been plagued by inefficiencies, low compliance rates, and inadequate coverage. The country also faced challenges like the need for more transparency, improved coordination between federal and state tax authorities, and the lack of a clear, modernized tax framework to support long-term economic growth.

President Tinubu was fully aware of these shortcomings before and after assuming office. The one thing he could do was put a capable man in charge: the Tax Boss. The government made tax reform a priority in its broader economic agenda, and Dr. Zacch has demonstrated commitment in ensuring these reforms are efficiently implemented.

The Tax Boss knew that no matter how brilliant the reform looked on paper, it had to work in practice. Under his leadership, FIRS accelerated internal reforms, digitized processes, automated over 80 percent of returns processing, and integrated new modules into the TaxProMax system to make compliance easier and smarter. This is what Nigerians needed: we are not waiting for change; we are making it happen.

By the end of 2024, four draft bills emerged: the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Taxation (Consolidation) Bill, and the Joint Tax Board Bill. Each was designed to streamline laws, harmonize tax administration, and expand the tax base without overburdening taxpayers. The National Assembly opened its doors to scrutiny with public hearings, tough questions, governors’ perspectives, and expert feedback. Some proposals were revised, such as the decision to retain the current VAT rate.

But let’s not forget how we got here. It took presidential will, expert input, and above all, Dr. Zacch, the Tax Boss himself. The Tax Boss has not only championed this process; he has owned it with clarity, purpose, and results. With continued execution and the right structures in place, the tax reforms will build a stronger system for everyone, from government to everyday Nigerians.

Tax Reform Bill is not just another trend. It’s the change we have been asking for. Most importantly, it is here to stay.

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

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