Sunday, March 7, 2010

Of Tigers and Men

Society devours scandal like crazed children at a birthday party devour cake. We love it. And when previously unscathed Tiger Woods fell from grace with his multiple indiscretions, the public gleefully tuned in to witness his descent.

Recently, Tiger apologized. With his voice hesitant and slightly shaking, he spoke to his audience: “Every one of you has reason to be critical of me.”

Isn’t this true for all of us? We all have something of which others can find fault. Most of us have something in our past that causes us to feel shame every time we think of it. The Bible says,
“[A]ll have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Because we’re all guilty of sin but we hate to think of ourselves that way, we look elsewhere to find others who are “worse sinners” than ourselves. In this way we can say, “Well, at least I’m not that bad.” And someone in the public eye is an easy target.

Tiger said, “My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before.”

Tiger’s reawakened conscience is an example to us all. When our natural tendency is to make excuses, justify, or place the blame on someone else, our best option is to say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23), allowing our Creator to reveal the true nature of our hearts and the sins we may be refusing to acknowledge.

Tiger sought the forgiveness of his family, his friends, and his fans. Many will forgive him; others may not, for that is the fickle nature of humankind. But God has promised that when we seek HIS forgiveness, it is done. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Now begins the difficult process for Tiger of trying to rebuild what pride and arrogance have torn to shreds: respect and trust. “I have a lot to atone for,” he declared. But ultimately, Tiger Woods can never undo what has been done, and we all face that harsh reality . . . once that deed has been done – that word has been spoken . . . how do you take it back?

Thank God, “He Himself is the propitiation [the atoning sacrifice] for our sins (1 John 2:2). What we could never make right or undo, the Lord Jesus has already covered with His precious blood.
Society might turn against you, accuse you, and want to see you penalized; but the Lord Jesus has already taken the punishment for your sins. So agree with him that you are a sinner and then accept His free gift of forgiveness.

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