Stan and I were again having breakfast together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe. Ricky had poured our first cup of coffee and taken our order for what we were going to enjoy for breakfast. Stan mentioned that in his journaling time earlier that morning he’d again seen how the apostle Paul was a master of writing volumes with just a few words. “What were you looking at?” I asked.
“How Paul,” Stan replied, “in his letter to the Colossians, used a three-word admonition that not only applied to them, but certainly applies to me and the rest of us today.”
“What three-word admonition?”
“See to it,” Stan replied with a smile.
“See to what?”
“In the particular instance I was focusing on, Paul was writing about deception in the church, and seeing to not being deceived,” Stan said. “However, it seems to me that what Paul wrote in those three words is equally an encouragement for all sorts of things.”
“An encouragement?”
“Yeah,” Stan said. “By Paul’s use of ‘See to it,’ it seems to me he’s basically saying to do something about my Christian growth because if I don’t, it’s not going to happen all by itself.”
“If Christian growth won’t happen all by itself, what can a person do?”
“As a first step,” Stan replied “how about what Jesus said we are to do if we want to follow Him?”
“You mean deny self and take up what He has for us to take up?”
“Exactly,” Stan said. “A great first step is for a person to see to actually being a disciple!”
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Bible verses to consider:
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23.
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t see to my growth as a Christian by actually pursuing such growth. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in doing what you have for me to do to see to the growth you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you seen to your life eternally with God through the cross of Christ? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with choosing to see to an ever-closer walk with God on this side of eternity? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to not only see to your eternal salvation, but to see to your Christian growth? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?
Good thought this morning.