I have never been a Ray Lewis "fan." Really, I've always been indifferent. I love the passion with which he played the game (I say "played" because I am assuming he is going to stick with retirement). I've never been really thrilled with his antics, though; I prefer great players let their play do the talking and show some restraint. But as the playoffs came around, I couldn't help cheering for him. He IS one of the all-time greats, and it is always nice to see them go out on top.
It was with great interest, then, that I read the following article in which Lewis claimed God doesn't use people who do bad things.
It was with great interest, then, that I read the following article in which Lewis claimed God doesn't use people who do bad things.
In the article, Lewis said it was clear he was innocent of the murder he was charged with 13 years ago. He said it is clear he was not guilty because God had allowed him to succeed. Now, I'm not saying Lewis IS guilty; I have no idea about the facts of the case. BUT, there is a severe error in his logic. Repeatedly in the Bible God used people who had done bad things and they found success, the most obvious example being King David. David had Uriah moved to the front lines where he would almost certainly be killed, thus leaving Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, available for David. When David's sin was pointed out to him and he overcame his lustful desires, he repented, God forgave him, and a great nation was formed.
Similarly, Saul openly persecuted followers of Jesus, often standing in judgment and holding the cloaks of those assigned to stone or crucify Christians. Yet God spoke to him in a vision, Saul (later to be renamed Paul) repented and became one of the chief leaders of the early church. Throughout history, He has used murderers, adulterers, prostitutes, thieves and cheats for His glory. They first repented, paid for their sins and acknowledged His majesty, but He used them nonetheless.
I openly profess my faith in Jesus Christ. I believe in a loving, forgiving God who is slow to anger and slow to judge, but whose judgment is firm and often harsh when repentance is not present. So it disturbs me when someone with a bully platform like Ray Lewis stands up and tries to use his God as evidence of his innocence in a heinous crime. As I said, I don't know if Lewis was guilty or not; I want to believe he is innocent. But, Ray, please to twist the nature of God and provide false teachings for your own benefit; He will NOT be mocked!
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