By Pastor Dave
I had an occasion this week to experience being sharpened by a faithful friend and sincere believer. I wrote something that was not historically accurate and instead of them saying no big deal, they brought it to my attention. That was a risk on their part. Would it cause offense? Would it damage our relationship? Would it be received in the manner it was intended? Thankfully the Holy Spirit is working in my life and I took it as an opportunity to grow and to be more accurate and careful in what I write and/or say. Sharing God’s word is a trust and one we need to take seriously. So I say thank you for taking the risk and sharpening me,
Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
We need one another to be Biblically and historically accurate and correct. We need to be willing to speak to our friends and risk it to help them grow and become more Christ-like. We also need to be humble and receive the correction. We should not be offended but grateful for someone who cares enough to help us. I thank God for iron sharpening iron.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
These two scriptures together tell us that we need one another and we are charged to help one another and to provoke one another to love and good works. We are to be iron against iron to sharpen each other. We can not do this if we are not part of a body of believers. That means we need to be in church as often as possible. We are made by God to need one another and to work with one another. I encourage you to be open to be sharpened, to be provoked to good works and love. God is on the move.