In describing the journey of faith, the Bible uses the metaphor of a race. Each of us is running with the goal of finishing well. But though we are responsible for running our own race, we can’t ignore the fact that there are other runners around us. And if one of them falls, what should we do? 

As James closes his letter, he calls us to look out for our fellow runners and to go after those who “wander from the truth.” 

Such wandering can take many forms: 

• theological: led astray by false teaching
• situational: the hardships of life or disappointment with God
• careless: drifting into lukewarmness
• moral: sinful behaviors, character issues

Whatever the reason, people who had once been running well can and do go down and it is our responsibility to go to them and try to help them get back in the race.

How do you do that? There’s a story in the O.T. that gives us some great guidelines.

In 2 Samuel 11, we read of how King David had an affair with the wife of one of his best soldiers. When she revealed that she was pregnant, David began a cover-up effort that ended with her husband’s death at David’s command.   

For a year, David lived with the guilt of his actions. Psalm 32 describes the misery and physical anguish he felt. 

David had gone down and left on his own, he wasn’t going to get up. It took the love and courage of a fellow runner to come back after him. 

David’s friend, Nathan, went to him and told a story that pierced through the hardness of David’s heart, and David broke. He confessed.

Here are a few observations that might serve you well when you have to play the part of Nathan.

1. The timing was right. In confronting someone with their sin, the timing is as important as the wording.
   
   
2. The person was appropriate. An individual’s capacity to receive truth is directly proportionate to the depth of relationship they have with the truth-teller.
   
   
3. The words were wise. Rather than going in with accusation, try starting with humble curiosity and tender concern. 
   
   
4.  The truth was spoken. Call it “the last 10%” – the tough stuff we tend to dance around, but the truth they desperately need to hear.
   
   
5. The runner was restored. In this case, David got up and back in the race. 

I wish that was always the case, but it’s not. But that doesn’t mean you were wrong in trying.  Moreover, it doesn’t mean that God is done. It might well be that you are only part of the process. And maybe...as you keep praying...someone else will say the right words at the right time and this time the downed runner will be restored.  

Text: James 5:19-20; Psalm 32; 2 Samuel 11-12

Originally recorded on June 20, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN