Baller 21

Tiger Woods, Athletes, and Atonement

by Chris Harvey on 02/20/10

I tuned into the highly anticipated Tiger Woods public statement broadcast yesterday.

While I believe the overall message was sincere and a step in a positive direction for Woods, there was an initial statement that stood out to me, that could of easily been overheard, that really exposes the heart of the issue.

Tiger said in an opening statement: “I have a lot to atone for.”

Did anyone catch that? It’s interesting that he chose that particular word when preparing his manuscript, regardless of his intentions on the meaning of the word. However, an important issue is raised, that could benefit the sports-minded person.

How does one truly atone for our moral failures in life?

A common response, especially for the competitive athlete, is to work harder and to do what ever it takes to try and make things right. While these intentions are admirable in our relationships, in general, the truth is that no matter how hard one works, we fall short of a life that is pleasing to God on our own.

All the extra practice, mental preparation, self-rejuvenation, and therapy we apply will not ultimately atone for our moral failures.

The real problem is that our natures are sinful. Our natures need to be transformed within before we can expect any outward change. There is evidence of a sinful nature in our world and in our own hearts. This sin has separated us from a Holy God who takes sin seriously.

There is a solution, though. The solution is not in what we can do but what God can do.
The same God who despises our sin and will hold us accountable for it, is the one who out of love offers a solution to truly atone for it forever. The solution is found in Christ.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16

” For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” ~ 1 Peter 3:18

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

How do we receive this atonement for our moral failures, for our sins?

Talk to God.

Admit that you have messed up, that you have sinned.
Believe that Christ died and rose again for your sins.
Commit your whole life to Christ because of who he is and what he has done for you.

Trust that you are now at peace with God and in a right relationship with him.

Sometimes God uses bad circumstances and decisions that happen in life to get our attention and to form us into better people.

I pray that God continues his work in the life of Tiger Woods, your life, and mine.