I am shocked and grieved at the revelation of the sin of Ravi Zacharias. Ravi was a hero of mine. His demeanor and his teaching had a great influence on my life. I am aware that all of us are broken. We all sin. I am also convinced that what Ravi taught and demonstrated was from God despite the sexual sin that overtook him. But I need to say that so far believing these things has not relieved my grief at all.
The fact that Ravi was evidently involved in these things while he was being used by God flies in the face of nearly everything I believe and have taught about Christian ministry. For many years I have said holiness is the goal of ministry. True and lasting effect in ministry is in the hands of God. Rather than success, we are to seek holiness which depends entirely on our relationship with God.
Several trustworthy people have written or been interviewed about this. I would like to hear what some of them have to say. But I need to seek a personal word from God on the issue before I think about what others have to say. As I have prayed about this, God has faithfully spoken to me. There is still much that I don't have worked out, and some of what I have to say may not deal directly with the issue, but I share these things with you because I have received some peace from them.
The first truth that I can apply to myself comes from John 9:4
John 9:1-4 read,
“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.’”
God's glory is the purpose of our lives. God can receive glory from whatever we see happening around us. There are at least three facets to living for the glory of God. They are waiting, watching, and working. We seldom see any good while we are in the midst of tragedy. But Paul’s statement that God works all things together for good in Romans 8:28, includes sin and its terrible effects. If you could have quoted such a verse to one of the disciples at the cross, they would not have understood. They needed to wait for His glory to be revealed.
We also need to watch for God to reveal His glory. If we do not learn to watch and pray we will miss some of the most wonderful things that God does in our lives and on the earth.
And Jesus clearly said we must do the work that God sent Him to do. God’s work does not begin with our initiative. In John 8:28 Jesus said He did nothing on His own authority. To do the work of God we must spend time with Him learning to hear His voice.
Jesus said we must join Him in His work while it is day. I strongly suspect that we are coming into the terrible times prophesied for the last days. Even if I am mistaken, God and my doctors have been telling me my time is short. I need to keep my head down and do the work given by God to my Lord and through Him to me.
I have come to see that even though Ravi's sin dishonors God and that his world wide ministry is likely to collapse, God will yet use these things to bring glory to His name.
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Comments
Lord God, one of the heroes in die Old Testament is King David. He sinned terribly, but You didn't throw out the psalms he wrote because of his sins. King David's prayers became the prayers of Your people, Jews and Gentiles, and of ancient and modern times. We thank You for that.
Psalm 23 is a daily encouragement to me. Thank You.
We pray that You will preserve the good things Ravi Zacharias did in his ministry, because everything that is good comes from You. This tragedy reminds us all that none of us can reach a point where we are not vulnerable to sin any more. Our leaders are especially targeted by the enemy. Please protect all of us from sin. We desperately need Your Holy Spirit and we need Your Word ingrained in our hearts and minds to guard us at all times. This is what Jesus Christ died for on the cross. Please bring glory to Your Name.
Please help every one of us to keep our eyes on Jesus only. Please help us all to finish well, to be able to say Paul's words in 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Only You can make this happen, God.
I pray for Dave who knows he has little time before he goes to be with You forever in eternal joy. Please give him peace and make his writing fruitful and joyful. Please bless him and his family.
We thank You that You always hear when we call on Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.