The Legacy of Ravi Zacharias: A Warning to the Church

As most are probably aware, shocking revelations about the late apologist Ravi Zacharias are being released to the public by his ministry. In an ongoing investigation, egregious sexual sin has been uncovered and is rocking the evangelical world. 

While we don't know what might have happened in his quiet moments before he passed away last spring, the incredible legacy of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries has now become overshadowed by his private sin. As Scripture notes, teachers are held to a stricter judgment. This is sobering and true. But I am not here to make a statement about the Zacharias scandal (Barry Scarbrough and Alisa Childers have done so wonderfully). What I want to talk about is why it's suddenly coming to light. 

Why is God allowing the truth of a well-known Christian evangelist's sin to be exposed worldwide? 

Because of His mercy.

We all have private sin. Maybe not the scope of Zacharias's, or King David's, or Saul's-before-he-was-Paul. But we all have private sin that could lead us into great loss (1 Cor. 3:9-15). The Lord does not want this for us. Our days on earth are incredibly short and the age of grace is about to end. I see the exposure of Ravi Zacharias's sin as one more sign that the harpazo is near. It is a warning to the church not unlike Jesus' warnings to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. 

Please read the following passage carefully:

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Cor. 10:1-11)

They were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

This is a warning for the living. We still have today. We still have the ability to repent, forsake sin, seek forgiveness and restoration where needed, and build upon the foundation of our faith with things that last through the fire. So with a sober heart I am asking myself hard questions: 

What hidden sins in my life could hurt my testimony (Rom. 2:24) if they were revealed? 

What in my life will suffer loss? 

If I died today, what legacy would I leave behind? Would it bear fruit for the kingdom, or bring reproach upon Christ?

Am I building or tearing down? (Prov. 14:1)

Am I a faithful steward of what the Lord has entrusted me with, or am I wasteful and weighed down by the cares of life and love of the world?

What can I do today to lay up treasure in heaven? 

What do I need to repent of? What needs correction and re-direction? What needs strengthening? (Heb. 12:3-13)

Is there anything in my life that would disqualify me from winning the race set before me? 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

While salvation is secure for those who are born again, believers are called to holiness and to a profitable faith. The exposure of Ravi Zacharias's sin in these last days is a serious warning for the rest of us. It's too late for him to confess and forsake his sin, but it is not too late for us. By God's mercy we still have today. Today we can depart from iniquity so we can be useful to the Lord for every good work (see 2 Tim. 2:19-21). 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2)

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:13-16)

Are you in a time of need? Run, saint. Run boldly to the throne of grace. Lay hold of that mercy waiting for you. We're almost home. Put on that armor and remain steadfast in prayer. Run the race with endurance. Let's remember the loving warnings of Jesus to the churches ("He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!") and examine our lives so that we can make corrections and changes while we can for the glory of God. 

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Rev. 3:11) And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Rev. 22:12)

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