Growing up as a young believer, I saw Ravi Zacharias as a hero. It might seem awkward to make such a statement now but that was what he was for me. I always struggled with knowing exactly how to respond to certain situations or how to answer certain questions, as a Christian, when they were inquired of me. Ravi’s ministry, however, helped me. His apologetic ministry impacted many and transformed the way in which we view and conduct active Evangelism. For years, Ravi Zacharias’ name was mentioned with a sense of honor and integrity. He was seen as a champion of the faith; at least he was seen that way to me.

Fast forward to our present year, 2021, and Ravi Zacharias’ name is now being associated with disappointment, anger and even shame. This is in light of evidence found which confirms his involvement in sexual misconducts over many years. The Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) confirmed, on Wednesday, 23rd December, 2020, that the ministry organization’s founder, Ravi Zacharias, sexually abused many women. This report was produced by an investigation conducted by Miller and Martin, a private law firm that was hired by RZIM. A 12-page document was then released on Thursday, 11th February, 2021, which highlighted Zacharias’ abusive behaviors. Evidence showing women being abused at Day Spas that Zacharias owned in Atlanta, as well as sexual abuse conducted in Thailand, India, and Malaysia, produced convincing evidence that he used opportunities during travel and ministry to carry out such actions.

In response to this, Staff members within RZIM have pushed the Leaders of the ministry to “demonstrate a new commitment to accountability” by fostering greater transparency within the ministry, especially in the investigation of Zacharias’ conduct. Also, the publishing company, Harper Collins, the largest Christian publisher in the United States, has pulled Zacharias’ books from publication and will no longer produce material done by him from his repertoire. Then, author Lee Strobel, who famously wrote The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith, has also announced that he plans to produce a revised version of The Case for Faith which would omit its mentioning of Zacharias. Then, to top it all off, The Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA), the organization which issued to Ravi an ordination of being a licensed evangelist and minister, posthumously revoked his ordination after conducting a “limited independent investigation” which produced evidence that Zacharias exhibited a “pattern of predatory behavior“. As a result, Ravi Zacharias became the only person in the CMA’s 134-year history to be revoked of ordination and expelled from ministry.

What is the Ultimate Call?

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)

In Ephesians 4:1-3, the Apostle Paul describes himself as “a prisoner for the LORD“, and he encourages, even “urges” the Church in Ephesus to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which” they “have been called“. The term “Ultimate Call” that is used here refers to the specific calling of the LORD on an individual’s life. The Ultimate Call itself is a dynamic one, which can be seen as, firstly, a call to Salvation, then a call to Sanctification and active Repentance, and of course a call to Evangelism and Discipleship. Paul therefore encourages the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. With all humility, gentleness, patience and love, we must live in a manner that coincides with the call to Salvation, the call to Sanctification, and the call to actively engage in Evangelism and Discipleship on our lives.

Paul uses a metaphor, describing himself, and therefore us as believers, as “prisoners for the LORD“. This, of course, does not refer to the LORD’s calling on our lives being a trap or an actual imprisonment. Rather, it speaks about us being submerged in the calling so deeply, like persons who cannot escape or who desire not to escape. Obedience to His calling and living a life that correctly exhibits such a calling must not just be a duty; it must become second nature, even like breathing. This is why Paul encourages us to show forth such a life of commitment to and submersion in God’s will and calling with humility, gentleness, patience, and love; all being components of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (read Galatians 5:22-23). Paul then shows that we will be eager to be unified in the Holy Spirit, bound (a reference to the prisoner metaphor) in the Peace of God, when we take our calling seriously.

Considering Ravi’s situation

Ravi Zacharias was (and probably still is) the most renowned Apologist in the modern Church era. His ministry was estimated to have a net worth of over US$36 million with far reaching influence in helping disenfranchised persons all over the world, as well as in the furtherance of the Gospel message. This act of furthering the Gospel was primarily conducted by debates and meetings that would be held at universities, town halls and other notable public venues, where students and the general public could have asked intriguing questions and would have received an answer that holistically addresses the issue of inquiry from a Biblical worldview. Him effectively doing this for over 46 years meant that Ravi was intelligent, well-learned, very strategic, and had excellent communication and people-skills. It also meant that, in reality, the call of God was evidently on His life.

However, with such influence comes the sense of responsibility. Many persons would log on to RZIM’s YouTube channel to see what response Ravi would give to a particular scenario. Such influence and responsibility, coupled with the external perception of integrity, meant that trust was going to be built between him and a crown and even between him and an individual. Within such scenarios, of course, is where the enemy would creep in and attempt to use unresolved issues of the heart to lead a man or woman of God down an evil path. This usually starts with pride and tends to develop, or give rise to, a plethora of other issues. Some of these issues may have been deep-seethed and only needed a factor such as pride to help bring them to the surface of a person’s life.

Lessons learned from Ravi’s situation

Ravi Zacharias is no more on the land of the living. It would have been good to see him continue with a pristine legacy even after death. However, it does show that what really is in the dark must come to the light. It was sobering for me, being a young pastor and someone who truly looked up to Ravi, helping me to really understand the true meaning of “circumspect living“. The entire situation has therefore taught me some lessons that I hope we all, especially as Pastors, should learn and adopt. Here are some of them:

• Revere our Ultimate Calling: Christ has called us to Salvation, continuous Sanctification, and to conduct Evangelism and Discipleship. Treat such a calling with the utmost priority, reverence and respect.

• Be dependent on the Holy Spirit: We cannot do anything without the Holy Spirit of God. He is the seal on our lives (Ephesians 1:13) who communicates with our own spirits that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). He also teaches us and convicts us of sin, righteousness and of judgment to come (John 16:8). His fruit must also be exhibited in our lives. He is working in and through us to help us; don’t ignore Him when He is speaking!

• Deal with unresolved issues of the Heart and in your Life: As Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, Teachers, Elders, or Deacons, it is a very dangerous thing to engage in active ministry while still bound in besetting sins and habits. Many leaders may have been affected my trauma from their childhood, or they may have simply dabbled in things that they shouldn’t have. I do not know what Ravi’s specific case is. What I do know, however, is that as a believer, and especially as a leader, you must deal with Heart and Life issues. This has nothing to do with being perfect, or a goody-two-shoes, or creating a façade of pretense. Instead it means being real, honest and open to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to truly heal and transform you. You may struggle with lust. Don’t let is escalate to you engaging in sexual misconduct; deal with your issues!

• Pray for our leaders: Many times, when we hear news stories such as these, we are quick to speak negatively of the person accused and of ministers in general. However, such a response should not be one of a believer in Jesus Christ. A believer must pray without seeking and approaching every situation prayerfully. Our perspective on situations, whether good or bad, will become more God-focused and not flesh-focused. Also, have respect for leaders in the Church, but don’t worship them! Don’t base your entire faith on the actions or integrity of a another person. We’re all human beings after all, prone to wonder and prone to mistake. Only God Almighty deserves worship! Therefore, we must pray for one another.

Let us be vigilant, Spirit-led, and revering of the Ultimate calling of the LORD on our lives. Revere the call!

I truly pray for healing and restoration to all those who have been and are continually affected by this situation and by Ravi’s actions when he was alive. Also, I truly pray that Ravi would have repented of such misconducts. His ministry impacted my life deeply, despite his actions disappointing me tremendously. We must always remember that no one is immune to the corrections or judgments of God. However, no one is also too far from the outstretched arms of God’s mercy and grace.

---

Information on the case involving Ravi Zacharias was gathered from the Christianity Today News Website (christianitytoday.com)

---