RZIM allegations exposed

The RZIM news hit the Christian world.

From mixed reactions in my circle of know, there’s shock, disappointment, resentment, indifference and forgiveness. Nevertheless, such news continue to send shockwaves through multitudes of believers, who either was once blessed by Ravi’s ministry, or even more, those who came to know Christ through his ministry.

Just months ago, the Christian world mourned the loss, yet celebrated the life and ministry of a godly man. On his gravestone carved the words ‘Beloved son, brother, friend, treasured husband, father, grandfather, seeker after truth, preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Child of God, Saved by Grace.” To which, I believe all still stands true. Only God will judge and know if he repented at his sick bed. Who are we to judge or decide. Many would feel greater injustice at the statement that one could be redeemed if they truly repented of their sins. It's not our cup to judge. For one, I have personally gone through the moments lying on the hospital bed thinking that my time might be up, and praying that when I wake up on the other side I would be with Jesus, saved, redeemed by His grace and unfathomable love.

I feel weird talking about a man who lies in his grave, man whom I don't personally know. But I really wanted to write my thoughts on this matter that have filled my mind the whole last 24 hours. I've heard of Christian leaders who have gone down the same path, but they were never one whom I've knew much about, crossed paths or came across physically. 

To be honest, I never heard of the man until 5 years ago. He was an invited speaker one weekend to church, and I actually fell asleep halfway during his sermon. No offence to his preaching, but I personally couldn’t follow the depth of his apologetics and reasoning skills. Many of my friends loved his sharing though. My hubby spent a few months listening to his CDs and podcasts at home, yet I never intellectually connected. Personally, my brush across his ministry has been brief, but I had supported their work a few times. Yet when I saw the news I was calmly disturbed, pondering, praying.

During times like these it does hit hard on many believers. Do we still support ministries financially? Do we still trust our pastors? Do we still go to church? Or should we just stay home and read the Bible ourselves? 

Why do great leaders fail again and again? And why do men disappoint again and again?

Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He remains faithful forever. - Psalm 146:3-6 (NIV)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. - Psalm 118:8-9 (NIV)

Yet people constantly look towards princes, kings, great influential and powerful leaders to fix their eyes and faith. It happened in the Old Testament, when the Israelites asked Samuel for a king to lead them.

But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights. 1 Samuel 8:6-9 (NIV)

Does that mean we should give up on leadership and pulpit ministries? In my opinion, no. As we are all a body of Christ, skilled differently to serve His purpose through the Church, His Body. The church is not a congregation of perfect people and saints. In fact, the church is a hospital for healing sinners who are still carrying our pains, scars, failures and weaknesses. The Head of this hospital is healing us and equipping us to help other sinners too, through our stories - our breakthroughs, or even our struggles and failures.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

As long as we live in this fallen world, we will live in imperfection. And at the end of the day we have all fallen short, and no one can really be the first to throw a stone of judgement at any accused. Those gifted still have their struggles and weaknesses, and still need the redemption of Jesus Christ. 

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” – Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. – Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

Since the beginning of time, God had given perfect men ALL the trees in the Garden of Eden to feast upon, except one. Yet, men chose to give into temptation to eat the only thing forbidden. To this day, temptation continues to lure us towards the excitement and enticement of having more than what we already have. Always seeking more, and the forbidden. Great leaders have fallen, and great leaders have been forgiven.

Read an account of King David on 2 Samuel 11 (click here to read). Reading it almost shows us the nature of men who fell into temptation, do wrong and device further wrong to cover up for their mistakes. King David himself already had many wives, power and fame. Yet he still desired what he could not have. Once obtaining what he wanted, he knew he would be exposed, and hence in his position of power he deviced a plan to redeem hid his sins, hoping it will go unnoticed. His sins did not make him less powerful for God. But it did eventually cause him troubles later on, which he did repent of and God restored him.

God punished, yet forgave and restored. And so only God knows the destiny of those who sin as well. His heart is for all men to repent and return to Him, to be in relationship with Him once again. True repentance eventually is between us and God. And for those we have sinned against, God will redeem and restore as well. This is not a ticket to sin, but it is simply unfortunate that we are all living in the depravity of this world, and until we are fully restored, things like that will continue to happen again and again. Yet to be true to ourselves and God, in every season, if we decide to honour God and put Him first, He will give us the strength to do the right thing. It won’t be easy, but it is not impossible to do the right thing. He will give us strength, to those who seek Him.

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." - James 4:8 (NIV)

And usually in our lowest points, when behind closed doors we run to Him, and call upon His name. He hears us and He will restore us. Sometimes, all it really takes is us pausing everything in this world, and spending time with Him, worshipping and praying, and laying it all down.

Going forward? Navigating the road ahead might be shaky for many. Maybe for those who are trying to overcome sins while navigating their leadership, does that mean it’s time to take a step back while waiting to sort their lives out? Or to continue to impact and touch lives, operating in their gifts through the grace of Jesus Christ?

The world still needs Christ, and therefore needs His workers – His imperfect workers. My prayer is that we would keep each other in accountability, and do our best to be honest and truthful to ourselves, to God, and to our trusted friends. A question that crossed my mind – did no one in the body of Christ realise the wrong the man was doing? What about those who interceded and often hear from God? The body of Christ has to be knitted strongly, yet be a safe haven for one to confess wrong doings without shame. It is difficult though, because of the standard the world has set upon leaders, and the fear of breaking the establishments of ministries too. One minister released a statement that they chose to deny telltale signs or alarms to Ravi’s life, or warning signs, because of submissive loyalty. The balance is difficult. 

Will I stop giving to the cause I believe in? No. Will I stop sharing Christ? No. Because in my weaknesses I still know God will touch many hearts through the little I can do for him. Like in Spiderman the movie, great power comes great responsibilities. Today I say another prayer for the church, to gain revelation moving forward. To learn from this incident, forgive, grow and seek God in moving forward, to continue to sow more seeds, save more souls for one day all these will pass and we do want to rejoice and forgive those who sinned against us. When the day come, may the rejoicing fill the earth and heavens, more than the tears and pain.