Ravi Zacharias, A Legacy No More

1 Cor. 3:13-15 ~ 13 - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 - If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 - If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The saga that has unfolded in the death of the late Evangelist Ravi Zacharias has been of epic proportions. It is a sad tale that causes everyone to shriek with wonder regarding how a man of such august pulpit character, biblical knowledge and austere demeanor could be addicted to sex so much that he led a secret lifestyle of not only sexual promiscuity, but also a lifestyle of abuse and misuse of those subordinate to him in ministry.  

“We are in the process of taking down Ravi’s content from our website and social media platforms, including publications, videos, and other forms of content, and we intend to change the name of the organization. Effective immediately, we are also discontinuing the use of “The Zacharias Institute” brand,” ~ Sara Davis CEO and Daughter of Ravi Zacharias

Recently, according to Premiere Christian News, the ministry soon to be formerly knows as RZIM, has committed itself to removing all reference to the minister known as Razi Zacharias, and is evidently intent on removing his name from all material they reference and provide the Christian community, as well as changing the name of the ministry itself, so that there will be no record or reference of Ravi Zacharias in any form.

“We are in the process of taking down Ravi’s content from our website and social media platforms, including publications, videos, and other forms of content, and we intend to change the name of the organization. Effective immediately, we are also discontinuing the use of ‘The Zacharias Institute’ brand.”~ Sara Davis CEO & Daughter of Ravi Zacharias

Struggling with sexual addiction is enough, but when that leads to abuse and maltreatment of others, it displays an even larger problem with character, that is not so easily reconciled or put away as "bad" behavior. 

1 Cor. 11: 27-32 ~ 27 - Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 - But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 - For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 - For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 - For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 - But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

We often and only think of 1 Cor. 11 in light of  a communion ceremony, however the fact is that we have relationship with the Lord (eat his flesh and drink his blood) DAILY as we have a daily communion and fellowship with the Lord as believers. We are to examine ourselves daily and make sure that we are in a repentant posture and willing to forsake and repudiate our sins and evil that makes itself known to us daily. In doing these things, the power over sin is displayed, as no one committed to their sins is willing to report because of them. 

Examination In The Mirror Of Truth!

Truth be told, I have certainly had to look in the mirror of God's word in repentance in my life. What I did not know at the time of the most pain, much of which I inflicted upon myself, and had to learn, was that there is never a time that a leader should look to "leave" or remove himself from the altar of God's redemption. 

See, we have been taught that repentance is a "stage" or a part of salvation and many, including most ministers I know, have laid it out in their soteriology as a "step" in the process of salvation. However, what if repentance is something that God requires of us DAILY? What if, we are to repent and maintain the posture of repentance at all times and that there never is a time when and where we are grown enough, in this life, to leave the altar? 

No, I don't believe that our faith is shaky, or on unstable ground. The bible says that "the FOUNDATION of God stands sure, the Lord knows them that are HIS" (2 Timothy 2:19) but the latter part of that verse says, "And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from his iniquity"

Them that are "HIS" cannot simply resolve to live with addictions, sins and failures. Repentance, is a LIFETIME proposition and when one thinks that he or she has passed a certain stage and has defeated the enemies that Christ has defeated and given us the tools to maintain victory over, we deceive ourselves and set ourselves up for failure. 

My experience: You see, pre-failure, it was all about me...what I lacked, and or needed and how I was being treated...Post-failure, or Post -VICTORY, I learned it is all about CHRIST, what he desires of us and how we can please and serve him daily and being sensitive to HIS thought and attitude towards what we are doing and what we embrace. 

The trappings of sin tap into our self-serving nature. Our desire to please ourselves and find a "comfort" whereby we are satisfied. The flesh finds comfort in sin and evil to that extent. The only thing that can break the power of sin and addiction is the Cross of Christ. Sadly, when that is not allowed to happens a continuous process, all that is left is frustration, addiction and abuse. Similarly as Amnon "hated" his sister with a equal or greater passion as he had "loved" her prior to raping her (1 Sam. 13), the only thing left after unbridled passion and unrepented for sin  is hatred of self, and that is normally displayed by and through the abuse of others. The key to understanding Amnon was that he hated his sin so much until he mad Tamar, the sister he had violated the object of his hate. Blind rage was the result. That is how sin entangles itself and deceives the flesh. 

We are praying for the Zacharias family. I could not imagine my daughter having to heal my wife and dispose of my legacy and life's work because of the utter shame that it brought to life and living, especially after all the sacrifice to do just the opposite in this world and life. Yep, I certainly am taking heed and I encourage every ministerial leader to do the same. Let's us all learn the message that Dr. Ravi never explicitly taught, but that God is teaching us by example. 

Blessed!