SHARPEN THE EDGE pt 3

Sanctification can be thought to be synonymous with 'sharpening the edge.' We are called to "live as children of light - for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth." [Ephesians 5:8,9] We are called to "be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God." {Ephesians 5:1,2} We are called to be 'holy!'  We have been made righteous, with the righteousness of Christ, by faith. To live out the righteousness of Christ, received, is to 'sharpen the edge'... a calling which is personal and private, as well as relational unto a unity of believers for the sake of a waiting public, as well as a higher audience. "If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, the one must exert more strength; however the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success." Ecclesiastes 10:10

Once upon a time, in a small woodland township, there grew a gathering of the locals, for the rumor of a contest between two men. One, a bit more mature, and raised there, waited, while the judge issued the rules. The other, from not so far, and younger, waited with a bit of swagger. Both brandished axes of note, while the judge spoke:
"Gentlemen, at the clap of my hands, you will proceed toward the tree you've been assigned, which as you can see are equal in most all ways. You will cut down the tree assigned to you, and whoever brings down their tree first, wins."

Within the growing crowd came the clamor of wagering. It excited the younger man, now rolling up his sleeves, revealing sizeable arms exceeded only by his confidence. His name was T.J.. Close to him was his older competition, named Tom, who sat and quietly attended to his axe. It, much as he, seemed fairly worn, all but the blade. Meanwhile, T.J. wielded his shiny new axe, gesturing toward the welcoming crowd. The wagering became louder, only to quiet with the clap of the judge's hands. The men went at it, with the actions of both being equal, for the first five minutes. Then Tom sat down and attended to his axe, singing softly,
"Judy, you're doing just fine."
'Catching your breath old man?', blurted out T.J., still chopping at the tree heartily, while hearing,
"Judy, you're doing just fine."
Both continued, with the evidence putting T.J. ahead.
"Judy, you're doing just fine," Tom hummed. Then, in another five minutes, he again paused to address his axe,
"Judy. Why don't you and your gal get a room?" huffed T.J., steadily, and with a slight decrease of vigor. Following a brief moment, Tom went back to it, as fresh as he had begun, with his tree beginning to yield across the next ten minutes. T.J. glanced over to Tom, surprised, still hearing that song, wishing it'd stop. The next sound was the crash of Tom's felled tree, followed by the clap of the judge's hands:
"The contest is over!"
T.J. winced in disbelief, as the crowd who bet on him gave him a mean look... mean enough to warrant a hasty departure, hearing in the background,
"Judy, you've done it again."
Dispensing his winnings to the local church pantry, Tom and Judy went their way, small and getting smaller across the horizon, while T.J. headed his way home, unable to stop whistling that oddball melody, still in disbelief.
"Annabelle", T.J. whispered, "maybe you need a song too". His axe remained mute.
Tom showed the practicality of timed rest, and periodic sharpening of the axe, for a more effective effort. He valued sharpening the edge.

Tom showed the spirituality of humility and charity, not responding to T.J. with a verbal rebuttal, but letting success speak out for him. Giving his winnings to the pantry would certainly bless someone else in need, a good deed, from a redeemed orientation.
Spiritually, he valued sharpening the edge... as should we.

"Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand therefore with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor upon your chest, and your feet sandalled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

Be an overcomer, in Christ... Sharpen the edge... And, "whatsoever you do, do so heartily as unto the Lord..." Colossians 3:23

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, establish the intentions of our hearts, that our bodies might boldly rejoice in ministry with courage, hope, and love...until we gloriously meet our future change. Thank You Jesus!
Dea. McNeal Brockington