“CARE-FRONTING”
“CARE-FRONTING”
It has been said that, sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.
King David had been riding a wave of success. Unfortunately, he had grown comfortable and complacent. He was basking in the sunshine of his success.
While he should have been joining his warriors in battle, he chose to take the day off and lounge around the house in his pajamas.
As he walked casually around his rooftop, without a care in the world, his eyes wandered to a beautiful woman enjoying a nice warm bath.
David then committed an unthinkable an uncharacteristic act of utter selfishness. He summoned the woman to his quarters and took advantage of her. It was a despicable abuse of power that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy.
In an attempt to cover up his guilt, David ordered the woman’s husband home from the battlefield. He hoped the soldier would desire to be with his wife but the warrior felt it would be dishonorable for him to enjoy such pleasure while knowing his comrades suffered in combat.
David’s sin led to more sin. He ordered his lover’s husband to the frontline to face certain death.
What had been done in secret eventually came to light. Looking the other way did not prevent servants and others from knowing what the king had done.
While others remained silent and indifferent, choosing to ignore the obvious, one of David’s closest advisors chose to risk his friendship and point out the obvious, David had drifted from his calling and purpose. Sin had been harbored and unless it was dealt with, the future would ultimately crumble as one bad choice led to another.
Nathan “care-fronted” the king by sharing a story with David that had different characters but a similar storyline and plot.
David was appalled by the villain in the story and upon his observation Nathan revealed to David, “You are the man!”
None of us are perfect. None of us do the right thing all the time. We slip. We compromise. We stumble. We fall. We take the bait and are drawn into the sweet fragrance of deceit. We sin.
We need friends, sent by God, to call us out, rebuke our behavior and in love, confront us with our wayward ways.
There are consequences for bad choices but God loves us too much to condone or comfort us in our sin. We need “care-fronting” friends who offer not a kiss that kills but a kick in the bathrobe that saves our lives.
Who do you know that is heading down a path of self destruction? Is there someone in your life that God has put on your heart? Is it time to “care-front them?
Ask God to provide the opportunity and the wise words to lovingly bring your friend’s shortcomings into the light of day.
Don’t be surprised if a Nathan someday shows up in your life as well. When it happens, be like David, accept their rebuke and recognized your “care-fronting” friend is a friend indeed.
(Inspired by 2 Samuel 11-12 and Proverbs 27:6)
