Recently, a worldwide audience watched South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford offer his apologies to many people for his deliberate transgressions. As painful as his public confession was to make, and as difficult as it was to watch, perhaps the greatest tragedy is that the apology was insufficient, from a biblical point of view.

First, the apology was insufficient because it cannot undo the damage that has been done. Surely the governor knew his actions and explanations could not be hidden from the public domain, and yet he pushed ahead in an irrational manner. Once such actions are taken, they cannot be recalled. Driving the governor’s behavior was sin and sin is irrational. In the Bible sin is called a mystery because it defies understanding, apart from the pleasure principle it contains and the will to power it encourages.

Second, the governor’s apology was insufficient because it was forced and not voluntary. Had there not been a video camera at the airport to record his return from Argentina, had there not been a reporter to greet the governor at the airline’s gate, Mr. Sanford would have, in all likelihood, continued life in a normal manner after returning to his state office. Forced apologies, as forthcoming as this one was, are insufficient.

Third, the apology was insufficient because it lacked the one essential element of gospel repentance and that is brokenness. Watching the press conference of disclosure was like watching a replay of other political performances of this nature with the exception that the governor’s wife was not by his side, and he was more detailed than other political figures have been. There were the obligatory tears, but there was also something else. There was total control of the situation by a consummate politician. Several reporters were told in essence to hush, or wait, or be called upon in order. There was nothing in the voice, body language, or words to indicate Mr. Sanford is a broken man.

I know, it would not be dignified to show brokenness in a public arena, but it still remains the way to redemption according to the gospel. Jesus told the story of two men who went into the temple to pray. One man went home dignified. The other man went home justified for he "would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13).

If God is gracious to Mr. Sanford, the governor will come to know inner brokenness in public or in private. Preferably, in both places. In anguish of soul David cried out, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest" (Psalms 51:1-4).

Isaiah looked upward and saw the glory of God. He then looked inward and said, "Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). Paul remembered his inward corruption and screamed in agony of soul, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). Only brokenness before God will remove an insufficient apology.