Iron Sharpens Iron

The last few lessons were about what is in our hands. This one is about the people beside us: friends and neighbors.

Lesson 5 of the New Believer’s Path talked about loving our neighbor and going to help people. This lesson goes one step deeper: we ourselves also need help—we need friends.

The book’s answer to Question 78 is short: “A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17) A true friend is there not only in good times but even more in hard ones. Proverbs also says: “The wounds of a friend are faithful” (Proverbs 27:6)—a true friend will tell you truths you would rather not hear; and again: “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.” (Proverbs 27:17)

People today have many names in their contacts, but very few they can open their hearts to. Proverbs warns: “A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) To put down roots, you need at least one companion like that. That is why every lesson on this path ends by asking you to talk it over with a companion.

Beyond friends, there are neighbors. Jesus summed up all the commandments in two, and the second is like the first: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40) And he himself set the highest standard for friendship: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13-14) He also pushed this love out to the farthest place: “love your enemies,” “pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.” From friends to neighbors, and then to enemies, the circle widens ring by ring.