Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.”
The most treasured friendships are those which can sustain brutal honesty. If you think about it, how real is any friendship which cannot survive such?
I am fortunate to have not just one, but several friendships which qualify in fulfilling the ability to survive brutal honesty. Not only do I have several such friendships, but the friends described are also friends with each other, and are also at the same level of fulfillment. We are a solid ring, which is not afraid to toss each other into it’s center, in order to make sparks fly, thus, sharpening one another. What happens when iron clashes with iron? Sparks fly, causing the iron to become sharp, just as the proverb describes: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
My brothers and I get into the ring daily. We debate theology, and exegetical approaches to scripture. We scrutinize each other’s hermeneutic, and we challenge each other to address Biblical topics and questions which have divided the church. We have also made a pact to be accountable to each other, as we journey together in our individual sanctifications. Such a dynamic has caused growth in each of our spiritual walks which would not have been possible unless we were all there, lighting up the ring with flying sparks due to iron clashing, sparring.
Look at why Paul writes to the Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 2:9
“For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.”
Such is what flying sparks is about. Testing each other. Challenging each other. Making each other defend our interpretive strongholds regarding scripture. Because if our viewpoints can’t survive such scrutiny, what are they really worth anyway?
Philippians 2:22
“But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
Would your friends, the brethren in your life, say the same about you and your worth? Do you even have such accountable comrades? If not, approach a brother in church and ask if such a relationship is possible. Ask a brother if he is willing to hold you accountable. Ask if he is willing to get in the ring with you so that you could challenge each other in order to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) You might be shocked as to how hungry your brothers are for such relationships.
What is our primary objective as Christians?
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Fellowship with brethren is of utmost importance in the Christian walk. Without such, we become dull and useless. A rhetorical question:
How can we fulfill the great commission if we are dull and useless?
I urge you to seek out such friendships.
Godspeed, to the brethren!
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