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Iron Sharpens Iron!!

I've been asked, "What is something you have learned in your Christian life?" Not a real easy question to answer because I have learned so much, but one thing I have learned is that the Christian life is a pilgrimage. At times the road is difficult, and we get lonely. Sometimes we may become discouraged and consider abondoning the journey. I think that it is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us.

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

One of God's most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to "keep going." According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges you to become all that God intends. Jonathan could have succeeded his father to become king of Israel, but he loved his friend David. He encouraged David to follow God's will, even though it meant that Jonathan would forfeit his own claim to the throne. (1 Samuel 19:1-7).

The mark of "biblical friends" is that their friendship draws you closer to Christ. They "sharpen" you and motivate you to do what is right. I have had many friends through the years, as I am sure you have. I can honestly say that I have had few friends that have drawn me closer to Christ. Most people look to see what is it that they can get out of the relationship for themselves. Not so with biblical friends. True friends will tell you the truth and even risk hurting your feelings because they love you and have your best interests at heart. (Proverbs 27:6). Therein lies the key to biblical friends, love. And it needs to be a love that can only come from loving our Lord Jesus Christ.

We need to be careful in our choice of friends. Even Jesus chose His closest friends wisely. He did not look for perfect friends, but for friends whose hearts were set to follow God! It is equally important to examine the kind of friend you are to others! As a follower of Christ, and as a friend, it is your duty to put the needs of others first. (Proverbs 17:17).

My realization is that we need to strive to find godly friends that will challenge us to become the person that God desires us to be. When we have found them, we need to be receptive to the way God uses them to help us become spiritually mature. But in the same way, we must also strive to be the kind of friend that helps others become more like Christ! Are you being that friend today? If not, I challenge you to be!

May God richly bless you today!!! H Trent.

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