Grace in the Gospel

Why do so many American politicians -- from Bill Clinton to Mark Sanford -- use religious language when they make public confessions of marital infidelity? Are they truly penitent or just pandering? How can we tell the difference?

The politcians who gave those statements are all professing Christians, so it is not surprising that they used religious language. It would be surprising if they hadn't.

All Christians believe that we must repent before God--and seek his forgiveness--for having offended him, his law and hurting other people in the process. But the real test is not in the confession, it's in how they live thereafter.

I have no reason to doubt their sincerity. But whether these men are truly penitent and their confessions genuine will be demonstrated by their amended behavior.

The Christian Gospel is not about cheap grace or easy forgiveness when things go wrong. But God's grace is always there and forgiveness available to those who truly repent.

This is what is unique about the Gospel among world religions.

By Charles "Chuck" Colson  |  June 30, 2009; 2:19 PM ET
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