An Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at Creekwood  

The Hall of Shame

The following editorial appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune earlier this week:

“Marion Jones owned the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney . A world-class sprinter and long jumper, she won five medals - three gold and two bronze - in track and field. Attractive, articulate, intelligent and talented, she was America 's darling. 
And the world was her stage...

“For nearly two decades, from a high school track in California to a college stadium in North Carolina to the starting blocks at international venues, Jones out jumped and outran them all.  But in the end, she couldn't run from the truth!

“Jones, 31, was faster than a speeding bullet because she was higher than a kite on anabolic steroids. Her name first surfaced in 2003, when she was linked to the company accused of supplying baseball's Barry Bonds with performance-enhancing drugs. Then, in 2006, she tested positive for steroids.

“Through it all, Jones denied, denied, denied.  And, as it turns out, she lied, lied, lied! To her fans, her family, federal investigators AND to herself!

“Facing federal charges for lying to investigators, Jones pleaded GUILTY! 
On Saturday, standing on the steps of a federal courthouse in New York City where she will be sentenced early next year, Jones admitted to using steroids both before and after the 2000 Olympics. ‘It's with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust,’ she said.

“And with that admission, Marion Jones staggered across the finish line for the final time, announcing her retirement from track and field. In an instant, she went from champion to cheater; from the "Hall of Fame" to the "Hall of Shame.” *

Marion Jones’ painful ordeal reminds us of a GREAT TRUTH: “Be sure, YOUR sin will find you out(Numbers 32:23).  It may happen swiftly or it may be revealed in time, but one day, ALL sin will be exposed (2 Corinthians 5:10).

The TRUTH IS: Marion Jones is NOT the only one that has made some terrible choices, nor is she is the only one that has tried to cover them up.  “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Each and every one of us has “had our picture hung” in the “Hall of Shame.”

The GOOD NEWS is: Forgiveness is available – to Marion Jones and to ALL of us!  God gave His Son to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins (Eph 1:7).  He will forgive those who come to him in faith, believing in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38). He will continue to forgive those who continue to strive to follow His Word faithfully (1 John 1:7).

Although each of us has been recognized in the “Hall of Shame,” through Jesus we may have our names recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Forgiveness and Life (Revelation 21:27).

Won’t YOU trust and obey Him?

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* “Hall of shame: Steroidal sprinter Marion Jones inducted.”  Tribune editorial.  
The Salt Lake Tribune
.  10/8/2007.  http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7121459

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