Name some sharp things.
A knife, certainly. Razor blades. A child genius. A pencil, sharpened and honed to perfection.
The sharpest items must be kept that way. Knives dull. Razor blades chip. A genius can grow lazy. The point of a pencil will wear away.
What about our relationship with God? It is a love affair or a business merger? Are we enamored of God, or do we work with him?
Married couples are fully aware that the blind adoration of first love wears away after a while. If we want our marriage to be successful, we must work at it. Constantly. Like, all the time.
Our relationship with God is the same. Our enthusiasm that comes from our salvation will carry us forward for a while, then we need to get busy and hone our spiritual edge.
2 Peter 1:12-15 helps us see how it’s done:
“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.”
This passage reveals three truths to us.
First, we need to be reminded of our Christian attributes. What does it mean to follow Christ? How should we be different than we were before?
Second, our earthly job is to use our Christian example to stir others to be better in their walk with Jesus. We are to lift them up to a higher place, not bring them down by criticism.
Third, once we are gone, our legacy is what speaks for us. What have we accomplished for Christ that will stand the test of time? Will those who come after us recall our life and say, “That’s the way I want to live”?
Sharp as a tack for Christ. It’s how we all should live. When we focus on Jesus and constantly hone our lives for him, we will become an example others will admire and emulate.
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Code: FGO.L.11.16d.vp.esv