2 Samuel 12:7
‘Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.'”‘
David is indignant about the injustice of the king stealing the lone sheep from the poor person. He even demands his death. Then the prophet tells him that "You are the man!" This is a difficult part of being human, we have blindspots. Just as David is blind to himself in the story, so we can miss our faults.
Jesus gives us ways to help. One is "Judge not, lest you be judged", (Matthew 7:1). When we judge in this way, we are putting ourselves as superiors. We are not. If we do help a person with their struggles, we are to do so with caution. Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well."
This Galatian passage is so important. We need to see how vulnerable we are. We can sin in many ways. When we stand and say, "I would never...", beware. We might not fit that same circumstance, but we can fall for somethings similar.
We can't take a superior stance. There is a phrase, "If not for the grace of God, there go I." We need to see ourselves as sinful and capable of wrong. We are to see ourselves this way, but also look to God for help and protection. To give us eyes to see. I Peter 5:6 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you."
There is great judgement going on in our culture. It is so self righteous and wrong. Sure, there may be things to point out, but to do so in such a judgmental tone is hypocritical. Part of the problem is that these seek an audience, then they judge.
This brings up Jesus' second bit of advice about correcting others. To do so privately. Matthew 18:15 says to approach that person privately. The next verse says, "But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’" This is a respectful way to aide a friend.
Our culture also fails here. Social media loves to call people out publicly. For some, it's why they do it. Their standing is boosted. Yes, Jesus called out the religious rulers, but their offense was great. They were keeping others from God.
David was being rescued by being called out. He was in sin and drifting from God. While very uncomfortable, it is for our benefit. Lord, thank You for calling us out and rescuing us.
If we ignore the warning, there is a strong chance we will be found out anyways. Jesus said in Luke 8:17, "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light." This a principle from God. Of course, many things never come to the surface, but many do. Obey God's warning and come clean.
God's purpose is to forgive and heal. It's not to embarrass. It's always reconciliation to Him, to others and ourselves and our consciences. It's why Jesus went to the cross. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends", (John 15:13).
Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:19 saw this as his purpose "that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation." He lived his life attempting to draw others to Christ. We have the same ministry, but done in a variety of ways. We are at least witnesses of God's work. We can tell others of the hope within us. Others are better at persuasion. Some are compassionate and share God's hope that way and so on.
Lord, thank You for Your warnings and Your forgiveness. You have brought us near. Help us to be agents of reconciliation.