(Photo by Ben Ian May; Courtesy of RZIM)Ravi Zacharias was the keynote speaker at Liberty University’s Baccalaureate Service held at the Vines Center on May 10, 2013.
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Ravi Zacharias, renowned Christian apologist, best-selling author, and founder of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, delivered the Baccalaureate Address at Liberty University's historic 40th Commencement exercises earlier this month.
In a powerful and engaging message from the scriptural account of Daniel, Zacharias told the more than 7,300 graduates ranging in age from 17 to 84, and thousands of guests in attendance on May 10, that "all it takes is one man or woman to step on the scene and change the course of history," and urged graduates to be "the center point of the arrow that God uses to transform culture."
Zacharias contended that "Daniel knew where to draw the lines" and said that his example offers "a reflection of what God intended for you and me to look like to stand before the powers of our time."
"You will learn from Daniel how he marched to a different drummer, and the lines that he drew helped him become a world changer," he said, asserting the importance of drawing three specific lines in life: resistance, dependence, and confidence.
"Daniel drew the line of resistance by training his appetite. He trained his hungers and disciplined himself," Zacharias pointed out, warning that "we make small decisions in the early days of our lives that often can put some deep desires in us that are not good in the long run." He cited "the scourge of the pornographic empire" as an example of a pitfall that must be avoided. "There are people whose sole purpose is to cut you in your soul, so you will be reprogrammed for desires that no one on the face of the earth can satisfy."
Daniel also drew his line of dependence, Zacharias told the audience. "You can only learn so much from books. You can only learn so much from education. Ultimately, it is the wisdom of God that will carry you through in the toughest situations of life," he said, emphasizing that graduates must not depend on their formal education or personal abilities but rely fully on divine empowerment. "Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ there is no hope in this world," he continued. "That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life."
Finally, Daniel drew his line of confidence and knew that ultimately the truth would triumph, explained Zacharias. "Three monarchs in a row crossed over to his side of the line; he never crossed over to theirs… it's remarkable," he said. "That is a reflection of the soul that God intends for you and me: to draw the line in the right places, to be shaped for His purpose, to be able to stand before the toughest adversaries, and to see that the difference will ultimately count."
Zacharias concluded his Baccalaureate remarks by challenging graduates to go boldly into a dark world, taking heart in the eternal power of the Gospel. "Graduates, you are facing a tough world, you are facing a changing world, you are facing a resistant world, you are facing a hostile world. But the Gospel story is always used to rising up and outliving its pallbearers. Take the message, it is alive, it is powerful, it is transforming," he said.
(Photo by Ben Ian May; Courtesy of RZIM)Ravi Zacharias received an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. on May 10, 2013.
Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. introduced Ravi Zacharias as "global spokesman for Christ… who has, for more than forty years, traveled the world in every imaginable setting, speaking to the dearest friends and most ardent critics of the Christian faith." Falwell presented Zacharias with an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Liberty, in recognition of his "scholarship and intellectual contribution to the church of Jesus Christ and tireless efforts to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world."
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