Sharpening Iron

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27:17

Honing metal to a fine edge is a skill which these days requires special equipment.  I do not own a single iron blade, but have many stainless and carbon-steel blades.  The use of grinders, files, and stones are all useful to sharpen tools for maximum effectiveness.  A sharp blade requires less strength and is often therefore safer and more efficient.  In the day when King Solomon penned this proverb, quality tools and weapons were fashioned of iron.  Rubbing iron blades against each other sharpened each at the same time.  In the same way, friends have a way of positively "rubbing off" on one another.  Insightful discussion, sharing thoughts, and working together sharpens the intellect and improves understanding.

This verse is applied easily to the benefit of fellowship in a church fellowship of Christian believers.  But do not mistake gathering together for meetings or activities as fellowship which sharpens.  If I were to drop a handful of iron knives into a drawer, open and close it for an hour, in addition to a sore arm my knives would be more dull than before!  Anyone who has sharpened or tried to sharpen a knife knows there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it.  The knife needs to be laid at a consistent angle.  Even pressure must be applied to remove the material to sharpen the edge.  One or two strokes is not sufficient to sharpen a factory edge:  be ready for a time-consuming process!

Sharpening does not occur accidentally, and so is the process of being sanctified.  We are sharpened when we are challenged, encouraged, and exhorted by brothers and sisters who are walking with Jesus.  It is not our physical proximity or shared activities, but when the truth of God's Word impacts our minds, hearts, and lives.  Most important is time intentionally spent at the feet of Jesus, meditating on His Word, and applying it faithfully to our lives through the Holy Spirit's power.  Listening to sermons or going to church doesn't sharpen you by virtue of the activity alone any more than sitting in the basket with the knives and forks in the dishwasher.  We must recognise our dullness before we can be sharpened, and God has provided the means through fellowship and service with others.  We need the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep us from rust which corrodes and dulls, for iron oxidises very quickly.  It's amazing, really.  As we are sharpened by God's grace, we will sharpen others.  Allow God to knock the rust off you first, and trust He will also see to it others are sharpened as well.

Sharpening is work, and every tool which requires sharpening has a specific use and designed purpose.  As you are sharpened by the LORD, be faithful to do according to God's calling upon your life.  As willing slaves of Jesus Christ, let us heed in our daily activities the exhortation of Colossians 3:22-25:  "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality."  The God who has called you out of darkness has called you into His marvelous light.  Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the LORD!  Simple obedience will make a greater impact on others than you can ever know.