Why Obi Cubana Shouldn’t Have Given His Life to Jesus (Part 1) -By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi

Braving being misconstrued as heretical and a red herring, the caption that landed you here wasn’t mistaken. The controversial casting serves a purpose that becomes discernible upon closer examination. You think the headline is wrong due to the opposite phrasing you’ve heard all along. It has for ages been the battle cry of morning-cry evangelists. Read along as this essay helps you unlearn and relearn. The trending conversation of a popular philanthropist provides an opportunity to interrogate what has become the standard call to repentance in Christianese.

While being chauffeur-driven with Pastor Jerry Eze, wealthy entertainer, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, alias Obi Cubana made a video to announce his newfound faith. Identifying as a new creature, the socialite said, “I have given my life to Christ, and I’ll make sure I go to Church every Sunday.” In the video that instantly smashed the internet, Pastor Jerry affirmed to have led the celebrity investor to Christ, assuring that the new convert would be discipled, grow in the knowledge of God, and do well in Jesus’ name.

The joy, like a river that floods the soul of a new convert, was so overwhelming for Cubana that he couldn’t resist the urge to make the public announcement. Pastor Eze would tell how his man made the recording without being prompted. If only Obi also used the video to confess that Jesus Christ has become his Lord and personal saviour in keeping with Romans 10:10. Be that as it may, conspiracy theorists wasted no time in alleging that the video was a strategic monetisation endeavor.

These cynics reasoned that the two big YouTubers were out to enrich themselves through earnings from the massive metrics and traffic sure to be generated from the content. How harebrained, given the financial fortune controlled by these gentlemen! For one commenter, his doubt is predicated on Cubana’s countenance and smile in the video – the same effulgence effused from the understanding that one’s odious past has passed away!

Prescient of folks who would want to test or doubt his resolve, Obi delivered this admonition: “All you naysayers and negative people don’t bring bad vibes to me. Just believe Obi is a new creature. I’ll lead a lot of people to Christ. You know I have a big influence on youths…” Unfortunately, those for whom the warning was meant wasted no time in proving to be hard of hearing. As major blogs broke the story, second-guessers took to the comments to wonder how Cubana would suddenly become born again after bagging two traditional titles the previous day. Others challenged him to prove his new-creature status by quitting the liquor business and closing his nightclubs. Another dared Obi to sell off all his assets, distribute the proceeds to the poor, before following Jesus as was required of the rich man in the Gospel.

By pleading against being the butt of these tantrums, Obi must have prepared himself for them. He should therefore not be distracted or deterred by the insinuations of bad faith. What poses a challenge, though, is his mischaracterisation of the Salvation experience. Even so, he’s not alone in this. The question begging for answers is whether there is any portion of the Scriptures where Jesus required the sinner to surrender their life to Him to be saved. Stay with me to understand what Christ and the apostles actually required of the penitent and repentant person.

Giving up something is never easy, particularly when what is to be sacrificed is precious or your very core. It can be so uneasy that under certain pressures or provocations, the giver becomes the retriever. Haven’t you seen estranged lovers demanding or being handed what they willingly gifted their heartthrob when the going was good? Human beings can be that fickle and petty when push comes to shove. Perhaps that’s why some people don’t believe that Cubana will remain sober. They foresee the allure of life making him take back what he has yielded to Jesus. This is a major reason why the right means to salvation is to receive the life of Jesus, not giving your life to Him. That’s the scriptural precept as clearly stipulated in John 1:12, Revelation 3:20, 1 John 5:11-12, and 2 Timothy 1:9-10.

Actually, the very definition of Christianity is the life of God manifested in human flesh. This is why, at the outset, the repentant should be led to believe they are receiving the God-life, not surrendering their life to Jesus. Let’s tap into insights from some global icons who found Christ: Two-time Grammy Award winner, Justin Bieber, was recently reported to have said, “Jesus Christ didn’t just change my life, He gave me one.” Manny Pacquiao, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, famously stated, “Being a Christian means accepting Christ as your savior, your God. That’s why you are called ‘Christian’. If you remove Christ, there’s only ‘ian’, and that means ‘I am nothing’.” Tyson Fury, the heavyweight champion, globally renowned as The Gypsy King, stunned mainstream media a fortnight ago when he declared that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

But then, why the fuss about Obi Cubana’s repentance, what with the American Rap King, Snoop Dog, repenting from gangsterism and proudly proselytising as a follower of Christ? Despite losing 100,000 followers and deportation threats, Nicki Minaj has continued to soldier on for Jesus. And as the veteran R&B singer, Tyrese Gibson, tweeted two days ago, “I believe in God the same way a blind man believes in the sun. Not because he can see it, but because he can feel it.” The growing horde of celebrities standing up for Jesus should no longer be a shocker. It’s a movement!

… Look out for the concluding part within days.

VIS Ugochukwu, a Sage, Storyteller and Media Trainer, is open to feedback via X @sylvesugwuanyi