Proverbs 27:17<\/b>; Eccl. 4:9\u201312; 10:10<\/b><\/p>\n
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend<\/i><\/p>\n
(Prov. 27:17 niv).<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cMan was framed not for solitude, but for society,\u201d wrote Charles Bridges. \u201cIt is only as a social being, that his powers and affections are fully expanded.\u201d In the Proverbs, Solomon gives much advice about man in society. In particular, he has a lot to say about friendship. We looked at some of Solomon\u2019s counsel on this subject when we studied his advice to the young. We studied Solomon\u2019s warnings against wicked companions, but no where does he tell us to avoid people altogether. He only sets the parameters of social interaction. Like Bridges said, man is made for society. While we should be cautious in choosing our friends, we should never recede into a cocoon of anti-social sentiment.<\/p>\n
When God created Adam, he said, \u201cIt is not good that man should be alone.\u201d He then created woman, and the building blocks of society were laid. To recede from the society would be contrary to the created order. Of course, we are not to be \u201cfriends\u201d with the world, but some Christians go beyond this command and isolate themselves even from Christian brethren. As a result, much of their life stagnates\u2014not only because of loneliness, but because they have forfeited the sharpening benefits a community provides.<\/p>\n
Proverbs 27:17 (niv) says, \u201cAs iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.\u201d We grow and develop through interaction with others. \u201cThe communion of saints\u201d is a legacy that we all share. Yet many do not acknowledge the practicality of this article. We do not regard the communion of the saints as a privilege and a responsibility. As Bridges says, we should gladly take up the bond of brotherhood with others because, by this, we will grow. \u201cIf a brother seems to walk alone, sharpen his iron by godly communication,\u201d Bridges wrote. \u201cWalk together in mutual \u2018consideration\u2019 of each other\u2019s infirmities, trials, and temptations; and mutual \u2018provocation\u2019 of each other\u2019s gifts and graces.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you have receded from society, either because of failed friendships or fear of others, renew your love for your brothers and sisters in Christ and recognize your need to be a part of other people\u2019s lives. God made you to be a part of society. If you deny this, you will stagnate and, like the neglected iron, you will grow dull and blunt.<\/p>\n
CORAM DEO<\/b><\/p>\n
Job 26\u201328<\/p>\n
Acts 11<\/p>\n
How much time have you spent recently with people outside your family? If not much, what were the reasons? Lack of time, initiative, or interest? Choose a person in your church you could minister to or get to know better. Call that person today and set up a visit. If you\u2019ve neglected a friend, call him or her today.<\/p>\n
For further study: Gen. 2:15\u201325 \u2022 Mark 6:7\u201313<\/i> \u2022 Acts. 2:42\u201347 \u2022 1 John 1:5\u201310<\/i><\/p>\n
tuesday<\/p>\n
july<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Proverbs 27:17; Eccl. 4:9\u201312; 10:10 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Prov. 27:17 niv). \u201cMan was framed not for solitude, but for society,\u201d wrote Charles Bridges. \u201cIt is only as a social being, that his powers and affections are fully expanded.\u201d In the Proverbs, Solomon gives much advice … Continue reading “IRON SHARPENS IRON”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12537\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}