Kendrick Vinar

Tiger Woods made his first public statement in three months today. Here’s the transcript: http://bit.ly/bXtjgo

Tiger should be given a lot of space and grace. He did an amazing job humbling himself and taking full responsibility for his actions. He wasn’t blame shifting or making excuses. He is deeply sorry.

My heart goes out to Tiger. I’ve been a huge fan. I just wish he got the concept of forgiveness. Tiger said, “I have a lot to atone for.” Although he took full responsibility for his mistakes he never brought up the issue of forgiveness. His goal is to rehabilitate himself so that through being a better person he can atone for what he did wrong and have us believe in him again.

Wow… so very different than the gospel. The gospel says that we do better because we have been forgiven. Our sins are atoned for because of the good actions of someone else – Jesus. Our faith is in God who forgives not in ourselves to do better. Forgiveness is granted because a person humbly asks. Trust is restored because a forgiven person’s actions prove trustworthy.

Bubba Watson tweeted this morning: “Morning All! Tiger speaks today, but we all need to ask forgiveness because we all SIN and make mistakes!! GOD FORGIVES! #loveeveryone ” I love it! God forgives, but forgiveness does need to be asked for. I teach my kids the difference between “I am sorry” and “Will you forgive me?” – big difference!

I am praying for Tiger and his family. So grateful for God’s grace and forgiveness. How I want everyone to experience it. Except for the grace of God, there go I. It’s level ground at the foot of the cross.