As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17 NIV
We need each other.
It is the way God made us. The Creator Himself, dwells in community – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People become better when we rub shoulders, as it were, with others of like faith. Proverbs 27:17 uses the picture of iron sharpening iron. Two blades being rubbed together has benefits. The edges of both pieces of metal become sharper. The iron begins to shine as each implement loses its dullness. As a result, slicing and cutting becomes easier.
Not only on Sundays.
Christians who fellowship regularly with other Christian help each other to become sharper in their faith and to shine brighter in their walk. Perhaps, that is why the author of the book of Hebrews wrote: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” – Heb. 10:24. We need each other as much as ever. And, not only Sunday Church service, but every opportunity. The next verse continues: “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”,
Men need each other.
An opportunity for men and boys to sharpen each other is happening this Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am privileged to be the keynote speaker. Lunch is included. Please consider coming. See the image below for details. Call the church for tickets.
More ways to mutually sharpen.
Another opportunity for males is Urban Light Ministries’ Dad’s Discussion Groups. These are 13 one-hour weekly sessions covering my book Father Love – The Powerful Resource Every Child Needs. We are currently enrolling for January 7 through March 31, 2020 at Fellowship Church in Springfield, Ohio. Click here for more information and/or to register.
Shine as lights.
Our mission as Christ followers is to shine as lights in an ever-darkening world (Matt. 5:14). Therefore, we are to be living testimonies of how God, through the power of Holy Spirit, enables His children to live righteously – though not perfectly – in a fallen world. To give authenticity to our faith by the way we love our spouses, raise our kids, love our brothers and sisters, and our neighbors. Our gospel message carries more weight as our lives become a genuine witness to the power of God (Acts 1:8). We desperately need each other’s encouragement to consistently shine this way.