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What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong?

What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong?

Last updated on: June 2, 2018 at 8:17 pm by Jim Erwin

What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong? 2018-06-02T20:17:33-05:00 Jim Erwin

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What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong?

““No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”” (John 8:11, HCSB)

This week we learned what some people (including my wife) has suspected for many years: Lance Armstrong used drugs to enhance his ability to win seven Tour de France titles. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey this week, Lance confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs and hiding it from officials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_0PSZ59Aws

The most difficult part of this experience is the fact that Lance hid this deception for so long. Publicly, he had won seven Tour de France titles, beat cancer, and started the Livestrong Foundation to help other people overcome cancer. Privately, he was hiding a secret to his success: he cheated to win.

What would Jesus say to Lance? I think he would say the same thing he said to another person who had been sinning for so many years. Jesus spoke with a woman who had committed adultery.

““Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.” (John 8:4, HCSB)

Other people would spend time condemning Lance, just as the Pharisees condemned the woman and tried to stone her. However, Jesus will respond differently. He would provide restoration, hope, and inspiration. (I am indebted to my friend Darrell Tomasek for this analysis.)

He would restore (“neither would I condemn you”) Lance. No amount of effort on Lance’s part would restore his reputation. His deception was too deep. His sin was too grave. Jesus is the only One who can restore him. Jesus teaches us to restore one another after they sin as well.

“Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1, HCSB)

He would give Lance hope as well (“go”). Drugs may have given Lance his hope of victory in the Tour de France. However, the only way Lance will have the energy to continue now is through the hope that Jesus gives him.

Finally, Jesus would continue to inspire Lance during the rest of his journey (“do not sin anymore”). After such a devastating event like this, he can easily step into despair and more sin. He was stripped of his Tour de France titles, as well as his Olympic medal. He will be ridiculed and despised by many people. Lance is going to need his own inspiration to keep going in life. Jesus gives him that inspiration. Instead of following the path of sin which has led Lance to this point, Lance should consider following Jesus instead.

The lessons for Lance also apply each one of us. We need Jesus to restore us, give us hope, and inspire us. Jesus won’t condemn us, even when we have created a mess as large as Lance Armstrong.

Photo by Rob Wingate on Unsplash

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January 20, 2013 John 8:1-11 What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong

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