TRUTH IS ONE: ON RAVI ZACHARIAS
When the news of Ravi's passing was announced in November last year, the whole world mourned for one of Christianity's finest workmen had departed. Memorial services were held the world over and we joined to hold one here in Jos for we believed Ravi had lived a life worth celebrating, the sadness of his demise notwithstanding.
Ravi was (is) a man we love so very dearly and so when the
news alleging that he'd engaged in series of misconduct with women surfaced a
few months after his death, it was only natural that we dismissed them. But
investigations directed by the RZIM, the ministry he founded have very sadly
confirmed that the allegations against its founder, Mr. Ravi Zacharias by these
women, are true. Ravi bears the responsibility for all that happened, no need to explain away the reality before us.
This has been the hardest piece all of us have to write and
while we struggled with going ahead to write or even publish this, we're
convicted that it is the right thing to do. Our love for the man Ravi Zacharias
has always been about his handling and teaching of the message of our beloved
Christ: "The ONE and ONLY TRUTH." So while still processing what is
the biggest disappointment of our lives, we believe that this also teaches us
all, especially the young a very important lesson about life, men, God, and the
sacredness with which truth must be handled at all times.
These revelations, heartbreaking as they have been taught us
on the fallibility of all men and the need to live our lives with the utmost
reverence to God and full accountability to men. We must never get to a point
where we deceive ourselves or even attempt to live a double life for truth as
we have seen always catches up with falsehood no matter how long it takes.
It is important to state also that the handling of this
whole saga by the Ravi Zacharias International Ministry as led by Ravi's
daughter, Sarah Davies deserves commendation and we believe that the Nigerian
and African church has a lot to learn from all this. Ours is a culture that constantly
promotes men to gods and one in which probity and accountability are alien. But
the truth of God's gospel cannot be handled so. The church of God must not fear
criticisms or calls for accountability whenever one of its leaders is accused
of wrong-doing. God's truth, like gold, is refined by fire (read criticisms).
We must continue to hold our leaders to the highest possible standards at all
times for their actions have consequences beyond them and even us.
God's forgiveness abounds for all of us who err and though
it does not take away the need to have justice take its course whenever
necessary. The Christian message is one that works in the lives of men and
women who are inherently sinners and come to Christ for salvation.
Another lesson here is that it is never too late to walk
back to God however deep into the abyss of sin we might have gone. As we have
seen, the consequences of not doing so will always be worse than whatever
consequence accepting our wrong will bring.
Our hearts go out completely to these women who remain the
real victims in this most unfortunate development. We cannot claim to
understand the pain they have had to live with all the while this lasted. We
continue to pray that our God who heals will bring them true and lasting healing.
Our thoughts and prayers also go out to Ravi's wife Margret and his three
wonderful children, especially Sarah who currently oversees the ministry and
has provided true leadership in what has been the most devastating storm for
the ministry.
Lastly, we will like to clarify here that although these
revelations are true, they in themselves do not destroy the truth of the
Gospel. Our faith was not in Ravi Zacharias, our faith was in Jesus Christ. And
as for Ravi, it is unfortunate that he preached the truth but didn’t live up to
it completely. Does this reduce the truth of what he preached? No. Ravi
preached the truth, and it is that truth that we are holding onto, not Ravi
Zacharias.
Our prayers for all of us Christians is that in the end, we
will find ourselves worthy to stand before the King of Kings. Christ's promise
of redemption, peace, and eternity holds sway for everyone willing to look onto
Him. May we do that now, while it is day.
On the way to Calvary,
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