Iron Sharpens Iron
The Lord has had me concentrating on loving well. Loving EVERYONE well. Not just the easy people that are pleasantly easy people to love, but also those that are easy because we interact infrequently. He’s having me drill down and concentrate on loving those who feel almost impossible to love. People whose past hurts and defenses cause them to either scramble to control all portions of every situation or lash out in anger.
I have watched close to twenty YouTube sermons from various pastors that preached on the Biblical view of loving “all people”. But there is nothing like hearing from the Lord directly.
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God’s perspective always blows my perspective out of the water. This day in prayer was no exception.
I had been seeing five iron bars that slid together. Interwoven first one from the left, then one from the right, then after they slid together, they formed a series of five Xs. This vision repeated every morning for over two weeks. Interestingly enough, it started the day after I had asked the Lord for His wisdom and insight into loving difficult people.
That morning I saw the creation of the X again and then went to church. During worship, I lifted up the concept of love again to the Lord. He said, “What I’m showing you with the X is that human interaction the mystery of the unified church is paramount. Each bar that rubs against the next personifies iron sharpening iron. Each difficult interaction that is cherished and sanctified by My example is priceless. One interaction with a difficult person done right resulting in a loving response will create greater spiritual growth that 100 YouTube sermons.”
One of these loving interactions has lasting benefits for the two people in the discussion, and any bystanders witnessing the exchange and the positive results can have generational rewards.
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“As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].” (Prov. 27:17, AMP)
What would the purpose of a sword be if it’s not sharp? I can’t think of a purpose of a sword if it’s not sharp enough to cut. I guess maybe a paperweight. We would definitely not use it for its designed purpose. If we don’t work and submit in mutual love with other people in the church, how will we ever become the Bride of Christ, our ultimate goal as Christians? The unified church is such a mystery to us, because as we look around at church splits and infighting in Christian groups, we can’t see how we’ll ever become the Bride of Christ.
“Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us give Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last] and His bride (the redeemed) has prepared herself.” (Rev. 19:7, AMP)
I do not know why it is so easy for us to forget the overwhelming grace that Christ gave to us, but we do every time we judge someone else. I’m guilty too.
Let’s try to see every difficult interaction as the scripture says iron sharpens iron, and allows our own judgements and prejudices of others to be scraped off our swords so that the Lord fully use us. Just as when the iron sharpens iron scraping off built-up residue and impurities.
Prayer for you and me: Grant us joy as we obey Your commandment to love one another. Let us even find joy in our gentle approach to those we are in conflict with. Most of all, we praise You that You are increasing our gratitude for Your grace in our own lives. Help us rejoice as the sparks fly when iron sharpens iron. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
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