Iron Sharpens Iron

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

There is mutual benefit in the rubbing of two iron blades together; the edges become sharper, making the knives more efficient in their task to cut and slice. Likewise the Word of God is a ‘double-edged sword’ (Hebrews 4:12), and it is with this that we are to sharpen one another—in times of meeting, fellowship, or any other interaction.

The passage in Proverb also shows the tremendous benefit we have in gather for fellowship, reflection, study, encouragement, and, yes, even correction with one another. Man was not made to be alone. This was stated from the very beginning, even in the creation story before the Fall (Genesis 2:18). How much more, then, after the Fall of Man, do we need to come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ for seasons of fellowship and prayer.

The first Christians saw the need for this sharpening (Acts 2:42-47) who “devoted themselves” to the teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, all corporate activities that provided opportunities for sharpening one another. The result was that they were “filled with awe” and when they met together, they praised God for the favor they found with one another.

I have been very fortunate to have my life blend with five colleagues in Grace Presbytery. We meet monthly for prayer and fellowship. We call one another on a regular basis. We have counseled one another through personal and professional times of frustration, pain, and challenge. One of us is close to retirement and does not just want to “coast home.” Another is coming to the pastorate as a second career, mid-life vocational change. A third one is in his first call out of seminary. It doesn’t matter age or experience, we are there for one another. The knowledge of their availability to me has made me a better person, husband, and pastor. The accountability we submit to with each other keeps us honest and on track.

Who sharpens you?

Pastor Craig

Accountability

The passage from Psalm 72 is about justice. It begins with a simple prayer that God would give his justice, wisdom, and judgment to the king of the land that the king might be able to judge the people justly.

From there it talks about judging fairly and righteously. The Psalm says that this kind of justice will bring peace to the people, even to the hills of the land. This king will stop oppression and look after the poor and needy. He will be an advocate, a voice, for those who have no one to speak for them. He will stand up and be accountable.

In 2013, as we look for justice to heal and bring peace to our own land, I must ask the question – “What would justice look like if it were to come in 2013?” Before you pass by that question too quickly, please spend some time giving it every consideration.

Does justice raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for programs to benefit the poor? Does justice expect the poor to pay their own way? How much of justice is government based at all?

What would the ledger in our checkbooks look like if we spent our own money justly? How would our money be invested? Who would we spend it on? What is the “just” percentage to give to benevolent causes? How much is too much for a person to keep for themselves?

On the one hand almost all of us would say that the answers to many of these questions are private and between a person and the Holy Spirit. However, we are a COMMUNITY of faith. That means we are bound together. There is indeed an element of each of our actions effecting the entire community. The Scriptures constantly remind us that we are indeed responsible and accountable to one another. That means that we should speak to one another about these personal matters.

If we all were totally given to the Holy Spirit, the issue above might not even be an issue. Unfortunately, there is enough selfishness and pride in each of us to seal away that portion of our life from brothers and sisters in Christ and say in a loud firm voice “HANDS OFF!”

While we continue to pray for the day to come when we can rejoice in that type of transparency, we must struggle with the Spirit convicting us on the questions we asked above. This includes the most basic question of all – “Whose money is it, anyway?”

Pastor Craig