Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7)

King David’s sin with Bathsheba was lurid in its details but simple in what it was – rebellion! When people of faith know the truth and defy it, it is rebellion.

Whether we are talking about legalizing assisted suicide or legalizing abortion, it is rebellion against life’s Author.

Often the advocates for abortion and euthanasia call themselves Christians. They will pick a Bible passage, such as “God is love,” and run with it, ignoring the rest of Scripture. In doing so, they rebel against God.

When Christians speak out to protect life (Proverbs 31:8-9), they are chastened for pushing their religion on others. But are not the advocates doing the same? Have they not found for themselves a message appealing to their itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3) and then run with it with the expectation that we must follow their permissive flavor of religion?

The story of Nathan confronting David often focuses on the King’s contrition and repentance when confronted with the facts. David was wrong. It was more than a lapse of judgment. It was more than “boys will be boys.” It was more than “losing himself in the moment.” He was wrong.

Yet, the story is also about Nathan. The Prophet had the unenviable task of correcting the highly favored King of Israel. Nevertheless, Nathan announced boldly, “You are the man.” You are the sinner. You did wrong.

That kind of candor is tough these days. If you talk that way, many people in our culture will dismiss you as an extremist. But it worked back then. It was clear and convicting.

Today, we are still called to speak with clarity (Colossians 4:3-4) and conviction (2 Timothy 3:16). We have also been instructed to do so with “great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2) and with a spirit of “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). The option we do not have is silence.

In the heat of political rhetoric, we often forget that people who call themselves God-fearing still commit acts of rebellion against God. Our obligation remains to call out rebellion. The Gospel directive, however, reminds us that souls are at stake. We must be as patient with them as God is with us. But make no mistake: Rebellion is still rebellion, meaning souls are at stake.