Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? When we follow Jesus it should be our desire to grow in that relationship. Who we are as believers today should be different from who we were before believing in Jesus and surrendering our lives to Him.
Ephesians 2:1-3 explains who Christ’s followers were before accepting Christ as Lord and Savior:
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”
Ephesians 2:4-10 goes on to explain how we respond to God’s love and call on our lives:
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
As a result of God’s grace being extended to us, we have a responsibility to live a different lifestyle than we did when we lived for ourselves instead of for Christ.
Ephesians 2:22-24 addresses this change in lifestyle: “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
How does this transformation take place? The Ephesians passage points out that we are to renew our minds. That takes place when we spend time with God and His Word. His Holy Spirit works in us to bring about the transformation from the old ways of life into the new ways of life in Christ.
The more we ask God to change us, the greater our experience with Him. We find that his Word touches our hearts and causes us to want to be more like Jesus.
But God also gave believers one another to assist in this spiritual growth process.
Bible Gateway states: “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17) is a biblical proverb emphasizing that, like metal tools, people need friction and interaction to grow, refine character, and improve effectiveness. It signifies that close relationships, constructive criticism, and shared accountability foster mutual strengthening and personal growth, though often requiring difficult, purposeful, and sometimes painful interactions.”
Each follower of Christ is a part of what the Bible refers to as “the Body of Christ”. We are each uniquely made. Our gifts are different. Our personalities are different. But God designed all of these unique characteristics so that we can work together for His glory and His purposes.
When we are open to the “iron sharpening iron” concept described in the above quote, we are able to live for God and to act in a manner that glorifies God – that makes people want to know and honor Him.
How receptive are we to the “iron sharpening iron” process?
What might hinder us from cooperating in this process?
What benefits might we experience if we allow others to lovingly encourage us to walk humbly with God?
Another part of sharpening one another, is to provide encouragement when we submit to God’s commands, and walk humbly with Him. It is good to share when someone else’s example has positively influenced us in our relationship with Jesus.
I’m not talking about flattery and public accolades, but one on one encouragement.
Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com so that we can encourage one another.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2026 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.