Sharpen

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

To be friendless is to become dull. It is not good for mankind to be alone. This doesn't just apply to marriage, the ultimate human relationship, but also to friendship.

The best marriage is essentially an intimate friendship. The best marital partner spurs us on to be our best. I'm happy to say that my wife is such to me.

We as humans are created by God as sociable beings. We weren't made to be loners. We were made to rub up against others, to sharpen one another.

The best friend doesn't simply flatter us. They challenge us to self improvement. There's no point simply bemoaning that we aren't at our best, we're to encourage one another to be the best we can be.

'Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of friendship, and above all for Your gracious friendship to sinners like us. For the honour of Your name, amen'.

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