As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

 

Throughout our lives, we meet millions of different people. Some stay forever, others for only a time, but when we encounter people for any amount of time, they rub up against us. Regardless as to how someone rubs against you, if you are of Christ you can rest in knowing that it has been allowed to sharpen you. Whether they are a friend or an enemy, the friction that happens when you experience people can be used to sharpen you. It may mean that God allows an enemy to rub against you to help you sharpen throughout the trial. For unbelievers, the friction that conflict causes can make them weak and dull, but if you are of God then even adversity can be used to sharpen you.

The biggest lesson from this verse is that it reminds us how important fellowship is. As iron sharpens iron, the coming together of Christians to share in the joy and wisdom that God has granted each of them will be beneficial for all. The like sharpens the like. Iron sharpens Iron, Christians sharpen Christians. By spending time with others you all benefit from a common good and desire for God to do something great in each other's lives. You also are able to impart knowledge from God as gifts to those you love. Another aspect toward sharpening each other is that when a friend suffers adversity, you can be there to sustain them in their weakness. Meeting together and discussing everything in life gives you more insight and helps you to know you aren't alone. It shows you that there are other Christians like you and they will be able to remind you that even when they aren't there, Jesus is. By coming together in prayer you are strengthened and when those prayers are answered, the joy you receive is another thing that sharpens all involved because the commonality among you is Christ.

We can take this simple observation of how Christians sharpen each other and carry it on to how we act around the lost. Our desire in friendship should be to bring edification of our friend by shining Christ's light. We have a choice to either be friction that causes the lost's destruction, or friction that sharpens them toward Christ. Constantly walking in the truth you know in your heart will allow you to brush past unbelievers in a new way and you can be empowered to sharpen them. You can show them that through Christ's brushing against you, you have been made as strong as iron and can give much in friendship because of the love you have in Christ.

Daily, walk next to believers and nonbelievers with the goal and desire to sharpen them and strengthen them like iron. Give out of the love Christ has shown you true friendship which revolves around edifying and strengthening those around you. Give thanks for the ones who are strong in Christ with you and ask God to guide you how to show the lost how found you are in Christ.

 

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Dear Lord,
We thank you for the continued fellowship we can have because of your name. The thing that all Christians have in common is you Jesus. We thank you for sharpening us and pray that when we go into the world you will help us to shine your light and sharpen those we love like iron sharpens iron. Help the like to come together with the like for total edification and then help us to spread the love we have in Christian relationships to the rest of the world. We stand in awe at the friendship and love you've shown us and just pray that you will continue to let us shine for you Jesus. Amen.