“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”– Proverbs 27:17
For many years, I’ve had the privilege of fellowship and Bible study with a group of men on Tuesday nights at church. I have learned and grown so much because of the lessons learned through God’s Word and the fellowship with these friends.
Last night we studied 2nd Corinthians Chapter 2 and I wanted share what we learned through slowing down and soaking in God’s precious Word.
My good friend and brother, Ward, led the study but, actually, our awesome God did the teaching. The title was so fitting, “Relationships that Matter, cause us the most Pain, but also bring about the most joy.” We learned to put Paul’s godly wisdom of love into practice with our families, friends, and co-workers (in other words, everyone we know).
Proverbs 27:17 reads, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Yes, iron on iron produces friction, sparks and heat, and it can be kind of messy, but the Proverb teaches us to build loving and growing relationships with others who can help us improve our effectiveness and maturity in Christ. True love sharpens us all in so many ways!
Sometimes “tough love” (which is really just “love”) is exactly what we need from a brother or sister. 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Sometimes true love is gentle and sweet while other times true love is painful.
Psalm 133:1 reminds us, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Therefore, as the author of Hebrews wrote, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 1o:24-25). Growing up in Texas, I know what a “spur” is! Horses don’t like to be “spurred” (people either) but it’s the way the rider gives the horse good and honest direction.
We call it “tough love,” but it’s really just love, because sometimes, as a parent, friend or spouse, true love is hard. The challenge is to keep the integrity and genuineness of that love.
So, Paul’s challenge is for us to love. After all, love is a verb. We throw the love word around a lot….I love the Cardinals, I love the weather, I love hamburgers… It can lose its true meeting. True agape love is “Godly unconditional love for brothers and sisters.”
May we all practice love, both ways, with our family and friends. It’s not easy but it’s beautiful! And God provides the strength we need to love the unlovely (us included!)
By Eric Joseph Staples ©
www.lifeaid101.com
Note: I try to post to the blog every month or so. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS
Joey Staples
joeystaples66@gmail.com
Proverbs 27:17 reads, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Yes, iron on iron produces friction, sparks and heat, and it can be kind of messy, but the Proverb teaches us to build loving and growing relationships with others who can help us improve our effectiveness and maturity in Christ. True love sharpens us all in so many ways!
Sometimes “tough love” (which is really just “love”) is exactly what we need from a brother or sister. 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Sometimes true love is gentle and sweet while other times true love is painful.
Psalm 133:1 reminds us, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Therefore, as the author of Hebrews wrote, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 1o:24-25). Growing up in Texas, I know what a “spur” is! Horses don’t like to be “spurred” (people either) but it’s the way the rider gives the horse good and honest direction.
We call it “tough love,” but it’s really just love, because sometimes, as a parent, friend or spouse, true love is hard. The challenge is to keep the integrity and genuineness of that love.
So, Paul’s challenge is for us to love. After all, love is a verb. We throw the love word around a lot….I love the Cardinals, I love the weather, I love hamburgers… It can lose its true meeting. True agape love is “Godly unconditional love for brothers and sisters.”
May we all practice love, both ways, with our family and friends. It’s not easy but it’s beautiful! And God provides the strength we need to love the unlovely (us included!)
By Eric Joseph Staples ©
www.lifeaid101.com
Note: I try to post to the blog every month or so. If you would like to receive the blog posts by email, you can subscribe to "parenting 101 by email" on the blog. Please pass these on to friends that could use the encouragement. If you’re getting this email yet you already receive the posts from blogger, let me know and I’ll remove you from this mailing list. Thanks. Have a great day in the Lord -JS
Joey Staples
joeystaples66@gmail.com
