I was pleased to hear Brit Hume sharing the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Last weekend, he said on Fox News, "My sense about Tiger is that he needs something that Christianity , especially, provides and gives and offers. And that is redemption and forgiveness." I agree with Brit Hume that the only hope that anyone has is in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tamara Woods (AP) said in her article in the Express News on January 9, 2010 says "There is no one, omnipotent "creator god" to bestow redemption as in Christianity." Which is why there is no hope in Buddhism. Man does not have the ability to redeem himself from his sins. There is no price that we can pay that makes up for the wrong that we have done to ourselves and to others.
James William Coleman, professor of Buddhist studies at Cal Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, says, "What causes you to do what Tiger Woods did is ignorance. . . if you do what he's done, it comes back and hurts you. You wouldn't do that if you weren't ignorant."
This is were I completely disagree. Tiger's problem was not ignorance. Paul says that in Romans 2:15 "the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them." Right and wrong is written on the heart of a man. Every man or woman knows that adultery is wrong. You need no education to teach you that cheating on your spouse is wrong. That is why Hollywood marriages fall apart all the time. That is why politicians who lead our nation and commit sexual sins, lose their families. That is why the Jerry Springer show is filled with such broken people. It is also why the Christian leaders make national news when they commit sexual sins.
It is not ignorance. In every case they are hiding their wrongs till they are caught. They know better and most think that they can get away with their hidden actions.
Proverbs call such actions foolish. A fool is someone who knows better, but still does wrong. The problem with man is his heart. No amount of education can change a man's heart. Paul says in Romans 2:5 - the problem is stubbornness and the unrepentant heart. Tiger's problem was that he got to the top of the world and found out that there is nothing there. His own selfishness, stubborness, and empty heart was trying to find happiness. His conscious choice was sex. His actions were not ignorant, they were foolish. Just as actions by Christians who walk in Tiger's ways are also foolish.
No amount of good works from Tiger can change what he has done. His words of asking for forgiveness to his wife will sound empty to her because of his lies and deceptions. His words of "I love you" will ring empty because his actions were conscious decisions against his wife.
Tamara Woods (AP) said, "Buddhist believers have to look to themselves and turn to an ethical way of life for redemption". That is the trouble, no one can look to themselves and get it right. It still does not provide the strength to walk correctly. There is no amount of good works that pays for the wrongs we have done. We are guilty for the rest of our lives. There is no hope for change by our actions.
Brit Hume says, "that those who find true conversion in Jesus Christ" will find forgivness, redemption, and the ability to walk correctly. The God who created the universe has provided hope in his son Jesus Christ. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life which I now lead in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."
The story of Jesus is that is alive, He loves me, and He has given himself for me. Our hope is that Jesus can help me get my life together. Our hope is that Jesus can help me, when I have stumbled badly in life. Our hope is that Jesus wants me to finish well in life, no matter where I started. Brit Hume was right - the only way to life is in Jesus Christ. He has paid the price of my sins by his death on the cross.
I join in with Brit Hume - Tiger turn to Jesus Christ - and you will find life!
