If Jesus could not prevent Ravi Zacharias from sexual misconduct, how can he save Christians from hell?
[Editor’s Note: Ravi Zacharias is a well-known apologist who died recently. After his death it was revealed that he had inappropriate sexual behavior. This is not just a rumor and it has been an embarrassment to Christians, which prompts this question]
Question:
If Jesus couldn’t prevent Ravi Zecharias from sexual misconduct, how shall he save Christians from eternal fire?
Answer:
First of all, although it is clear that Ravi Zecharias did some really bad things that all believers ought to completely condemn, I am not sure one way or another whether he will be saved at the end. You seem to be assuming that Ravi Zecharias will go to hell. God is the judge of such things. One thing I know is that the blood of Jesus can purify us of all sins, if we will repent and be baptized into Christ. Where Ravi will spend eternity is something neither you nor I can judge.
Second, God has given us free will. Either we have free will or we do not. Well, we have free will. God does not force us to obey. We are not like the animals or the trees or other things in nature which always obey God. God loves us. Love gives a choice. God gave us a choice. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 expresses this well. God says to us–he begs us out of love–I put before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life. If God forced Ravi Zecharias to not sin, then where would the choice be? Like I said, love gives a choice.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 God tells his people that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. God always provides a way of escape from the sin if we will take that way. I never met Ravi Zecharias. What I know is that me made some really bad decisions. God allowed him to do that.
But you and I do not have to make such a bad decision. We can repent and we can be faithful to God. Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery in John 8 “Go and sin no more.” This is what we do because we love God. If we do, and if we repent and are baptized into Christ then the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1)
I hope this helps.
John Oakes
