30 Aug, 2007
Is Michael Vick sincere?
Michael Vick Says He's Sorry
Written by Doug Buchanan
At this stage of a story that certainly rivals any tragedy of Shakespeare’s day - it remains hard to tell if Michael Vick means what he says.
He has nothing to lose. His freedom will soon be taken from him. And just minutes after pleading guilty to financing a brutal and deadly dog fighting operation on his Virginia property, Michael Vick made his first public comments surrounding the case that will almost certainly cost the suspended quarterback millions of dollars.
Before dozens of cameras, Vick apologized for the lies he told his bosses with the Atlanta Falcons. He initially denied having any involvement in a dog fighting ring, but now admits to not only financing - but endorsing the killing of poorly performing dogs.
And then their was Michael Vick on Religion - "I'm upset with myself, and, you know through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. And I think that's the right thing to do as of right now."
And while some may doubt Vick's new-found faith, other's say it's not for us to judge - at least on this matter.
Reverend Bill Finch of Rockville's St. Raphael Church tells 9NEWS NOW it's in difficult and trying times when many people seek help and forgiveness in Jesus and that God is in no position to turn his back on anyone seeking forgiveness.
Michael Vick could be sentenced to as much as five years in prison when he is sentenced on December 10th. But it is more likely he will receive between a year to a year and half behind bars when he returns to the Federal Courthouse in Richmond.
photo & story courtesy wusa9.com, 8/28/07
Numbers 14:34-45 (NLT)
34 “‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.’ 35 I, the Lord, have spoken! I will certainly do these things to every member of the community who has conspired against me. They will be destroyed here in this wilderness, and here they will die!”
36 The ten men Moses had sent to explore the land—the ones who incited rebellion against the Lord with their bad report—37 were struck dead with a plague before the Lord. 38 Of the twelve who had explored the land, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive.
39 When Moses reported the Lord’s words to all the Israelites, the people were filled with grief. 40 Then they got up early the next morning and went to the top of the range of hills. “Let’s go,” they said. “We realize that we have sinned, but now we are ready to enter the land the Lord has promised us.”
41 But Moses said, “Why are you now disobeying the Lord’s orders to return to the wilderness? It won’t work. 42 Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the Lord is not with you. 43 When you face the Amalekites and Canaanites in battle, you will be slaughtered. The Lord will abandon you because you have abandoned the Lord.”
44 But the people defiantly pushed ahead toward the hill country, even though neither Moses nor the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant left the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those hills came down and attacked them and chased them back as far as Hormah.
If you grew up going to church, you probably remember parts of this familiar Old Testament story. The Israelites were going to be punished by God for their disobedience and unsuccessful attempt to enter the Promised Land. The consequences? They were going to wander for 40 years in the wilderness! Whoa! That got their attention! But it was too late!
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about true repentance to God?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
14:40-44 When the Israelites realized their foolish mistake, they were suddenly ready to return to God. But God didn't confuse their admission of guilt with true repentance because he knew their hearts. Sure enough, they soon went their own way again. Sometimes right actions or good intentions come too late. We must not only do what is right, but also do it at the right time. God wants complete and instant obedience.
Michael Vick's confession and apology may be sincere or he may be trying to solicit public support in order to play football again in the future.
Only God knows his heart right now.
I hope Vick really has "found Jesus". Either way, he now faces the consequences for his crimes.
- Praise God for being Holy and for His desire for you to be holy! Let His Spirit show you right now any way in which you have been holding back on God and demanding your independence from Him. Confess any self-centered attitudes or actions and receive His complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. Praise God for His mercy and grace!
- Pray every day for God's Spirit to keep you sensitive to recognizing sin in your life and to confess it immediately.
- Read the rest of the story about the Israelites wandering in the wilderness in Numbers 15:1 - 21:35.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Pray for Michael Vick when you see his photo or story in the news. Even though his actions are selfish and awful, remember that God loves him and wants him to turn from his ways and turn to Christ. BUT maybe Vick has done this already? Pray that his new found "religion" is sincere.
- Use today's Vick story and "finding Jesus" as a way to find out what those in your storysphere are really thinking about religion versus a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Ask them if they think Vick is sincere? Ask them what they think is the real evidence of someone having a real relationship with Jesus? If you're real brave, you can ask if they see this in you?
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