Sharpener

"God, send me a friend that will tell me my faults."  Thomas Fuller

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.  Proverbs 27:12

Whenever I think of this verse, the profession of a Blacksmith comes to my mind.  (Maybe, I've watched too many John Wayne movies?)

Their Smithy was usually located on the edge of town near the Livery Stable.  Easy access for those who travelled into town, and those leaving.  As you walked the street of the town, you would probably hear a familiar sound.  The hammering of iron against iron.  As you drew near, maybe the air became thick from the fire that constantly burned to keep the iron pliable.  Maybe you could hear the sound of sizzling when the completed piece of iron was placed in a nearby bucket of water that would solidify the completed project.  A tool, a farming implement, a horseshoe perhaps?  Something made to perform a specific task.

Hard work.

Sometimes friendships are hard work because they will require hard sayings.  Friends will, at times, have to set aside the joking and easy camaraderie to say, 'hard things.' If they really are your friend, that is.

"Spiritual friendship is eagerly helping one another know, serve, love and resemble God in deeper and deeper ways."  Tim Keller

It's not an easy thing to do, but when done right, when you speak the truth in love, and are genuinely concerned about the direction your friend may be going, it will allow your friend to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your friendship will grow too.

"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship."  Thomas Aquinas

Websters Dictionary defines sharpen as: to make sharp or hone.  Webster defines hone as: to make more acute, intense, or effective.

I had to ask myself, 'Do I care enough about my friend to make them more effective for Christ?  Or have I become a dull friend?'

I want true friends.  Those who can help me in my walk with Christ.

And I want to be a true friend, one who can help others in their walk with Christ.

    But that's just me!

"He is your friend who pushes you nearer to God."  Abraham Kuyper

"A faithful friend is a truthful friend."  Woodrow Kroll