Is Lance Armstrong Sorry He Cheated?

News accounts tell us Lance Armstrong will soon confess he doped his way to seven "Tour De France" championships. Armstrong has (for years) denied these charges both in and out of the courthouse. He has chosen Oprah Winfrey as his confessor and vehicle through whom he will seek forgiveness from the public and athletic officials. You see, Armstrong has been banned from competition for life and wants to run marathons, triathlons  and perhaps even ride another bike race someday. Armstrong has also built an empire called "Live Strong" which he seeks to protect through his moment of contrition aired on Oprah's OWN network. Naturally, this begs several questions such as "Why now" and "Is his contrition genuine?"

Confession is, as they say, good for the soul. When made in relation to God, confession brings forgiveness, salvation and a new way of life. However, Scripture is clear, only confession born from genuine contrition leads to salvation and second chances. The Apostle Paul said genuine confession is the product of Godly sorrow and results in genuine repentance. Repentance of course being a complete life change; a brand new direction for ourselves. Godly sorrow is the kind of sorrow produced in us when we realize we have hurt the heart of God and are sorry for doing so. On the other hand, Paul indicates there is a kind of sorrow called "worldly sorrow" which is simply grief over having been caught doing something wrong. This kind of sorrow does not lead to forgiveness, salvation or a new way of life. So, is Armstrong's contrition genuine or is he simply sorry for getting caught?

Most often it seems our "stars" and "athletes" are simply sorry they got caught or sorry the world doesn't approve of some activity they enjoy doing. Their worldly sorrow may lead to absolution from an adoring public but it does not lead to any real and lasting change in their life. If the country forgives Armstrong and he is allowed to compete again is there any reason to think he won't cheat again to gain a competitive advantage over his competitors? If his contrition is the result of Godly sorrow the answer would be yes but I suspect his contrition is motivated by worldly sorrow and desire to compete again. After all, it took a lifetime ban from competition to bring him to confess any wrongdoing. I hope I am wrong and even feel a twinge of guilt for assuming his confession tainted. Love does "believe all things" and we are called to love Lance Armstrong. My motivation for the question is simply to benefit both he and those who might learn from his failure. If you want real change in your life it requires more than a clean slate from your friends, family or an adoring public. Real change and a second chance in life are only produced by genuine confession of sin before God and the Godly sorrow which motivates it. Real change happens when we receive a new heart from Christ.

Lance Armstrong lied to the public for a very long time. He cheated to gain a competitive advantage against those who were racing without the aid of drugs. He has lived a very selfish, self-centered life. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." We should forgive and give Lance a second chance. Let us just pray Godly sorrow and genuine repentance will lead him to take full advantage of the grace extended him both from above and below.

James