Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

1 John 2. Day 195 - Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year
 

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: 1 John 2 (CSB)
Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year
Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Bible Reading Plan
Contact Sean: seanbailey1985@gmail.com
Follow NTIY on Facebook: facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

In Today's Episode
Jesus Our Advocate. Walking as Jesus Walked. Abiding in the Truth.

"The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked." — 1 John 2:6

First John 2 begins with one of the most comforting truths in Scripture. John tells believers that he is writing so they will not sin, but he immediately reminds us what happens when we do: "We have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one." Jesus does not abandon us when we stumble. He stands as our righteous advocate, and His sacrifice is the basis of our forgiveness. Grace is never permission to continue in sin, but it is the assurance that our hope rests in Christ rather than our ability to live perfectly. John then makes it clear that genuinely knowing Jesus should produce a growing desire to obey Him. We cannot separate loving Christ from following Christ.

John continues by bringing that obedience into our relationships. The command to love one another is not new, yet it takes on new depth through the life and example of Jesus. Anyone who claims to walk in the light while hating a brother or sister is still walking in darkness. Our love for God must become visible in how we treat people. John also warns us not to love the world or the things in it. He is not telling us to stop loving people or enjoying God's creation. He is warning against a worldly system built around sinful desires, pride, and values that compete with devotion to the Father. The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

The chapter closes with a warning about false teachers who deny the truth about Jesus. John calls believers to remain in what they heard from the beginning rather than chasing every new spiritual claim. The truth of the gospel does not need to be improved upon. We have been given the Son, and in Him we have fellowship with the Father and the promise of eternal life. First John 2 challenges us to examine both our beliefs and our lives. Are we walking as Jesus walked? Are we loving as He loved? Are we remaining in the truth He revealed? The Christian life is not about simply knowing the right answers. It is about knowing Christ, remaining in Him, and allowing His truth and love to shape the way we live every day.

1 John 1. Day 194 - Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: 1 John 1 (CSB) Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Bible Reading Plan Contact Sean: seanbailey1985@gmail.com Follow NTIY on Facebook: facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

In Today's Episode
The Word of Life. Walking in the Light. The Faithfulness of God's Forgiveness.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9

First John opens with a beautiful reminder that Christianity is rooted in a real person, not simply a collection of religious ideas. John writes about Jesus as the Word of life, the One he had heard, seen with his own eyes, and touched with his own hands. The eternal Son of God had entered human history, and John was an eyewitness. He shares this testimony so that others might experience fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. At the heart of the Christian faith is an invitation into a real relationship with the living God, and John says that this fellowship brings complete joy.

John then introduces one of the central themes of his letter: "God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him." Because God is perfectly holy, those who belong to Him cannot claim fellowship with Him while deliberately walking in darkness. Walking in the light does not mean we never struggle with sin. It means we are no longer trying to hide from God or pretend that our sin does not matter. We bring our lives into His light, allow His truth to expose what needs to change, and continue depending on the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Genuine fellowship with God changes the way we live and the way we relate to one another.

The chapter closes with one of the most encouraging promises in Scripture. John says that claiming to be without sin is self-deception, but confessing our sin opens the way to forgiveness and cleansing. We do not have to cover up what Christ came to forgive. God's faithfulness and righteousness are the foundation of His promise, and the sacrifice of Jesus is what makes that forgiveness possible. First John 1 reminds us that the Christian life is not about pretending to be perfect. It is about living honestly before a holy and gracious God. Stop hiding what Jesus already died to forgive. Walk in the light, confess what needs to be confessed, and rest in the faithful mercy of the God who cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Titus 3. Day 193 - Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: Titus 3 (CSB) Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Bible Reading Plan Contact Sean: seanbailey1985@gmail.com Follow NTIY on Facebook: facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

In Today's Episode
Living as People of Grace. Saved by Mercy, Not Works. Devoted to What Is Good.

"He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy." — Titus 3:5

Titus 3 brings Paul's letter to a close by showing us how the gospel should shape the way we live in the world. Paul reminds believers to respect governing authorities, be ready for every good work, avoid slander and unnecessary quarrels, and show gentleness toward everyone. Then he reminds us why humility matters: we were not always who we are today. Before Christ, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by sinful desires. That memory should keep us from looking down on others. We are not people who made ourselves better. We are people who have been rescued by grace.

At the heart of the chapter is one of the clearest explanations of salvation in Scripture. "But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us." Paul makes it unmistakably clear that salvation is not something we achieve through righteous works. It is something God gives according to His mercy. Through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, God gives us new life, pouring out His Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior. We are justified by His grace and made heirs with the hope of eternal life. The Christian life begins not with what we have done for God, but with what God has done for us in Christ.

Paul then brings everything back to good works. Those who have believed God should be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. That is not a contradiction. Good works are not the cause of our salvation; they are the fruit of it. Paul also warns against foolish controversies and divisive arguments that distract from the mission of the church. Titus 3 leaves us with a beautiful picture of what grace produces: humble people, renewed hearts, peaceful relationships, and lives devoted to serving others. We are not saved because we are good. We do good because God, in His mercy, has saved us. Let that truth keep you humble, grateful, and ready to reflect the kindness of Christ wherever He places you.

Titus 2. Day 192 - Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: Titus 2 (CSB) Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Bible Reading Plan Contact Sean: seanbailey1985@gmail.com Follow NTIY on Facebook: facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

In Today's Episode
Sound Doctrine That Shapes Our Lives. Grace That Trains Us. Living in Hope of Christ's Return.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age." — Titus 2:11–12

Titus 2 shows us that what we believe should shape the way we live. Paul instructs Titus to teach sound doctrine, then immediately explains what that looks like in everyday relationships. Older men and women are called to model maturity and faithfulness. Younger believers are to grow in self-control, integrity, and good works. Even in difficult circumstances, Christians are called to live in ways that honor God and make the gospel attractive to others. Sound doctrine is not simply information we agree with on Sunday. It should be visible in our attitudes, relationships, decisions, and conduct throughout the week.

Then Paul brings everything back to the foundation of the Christian life: the grace of God. Grace does more than forgive our sins. It teaches us to turn away from ungodliness and live differently. That is an important distinction. We do not pursue holiness to earn salvation. We pursue holiness because God's grace has already come to us through Jesus Christ. The same Savior who gave Himself to redeem us is also working to purify us as a people who belong to Him and are eager to do what is good. Grace does not leave us where it found us. It changes what we love, what we pursue, and how we live.

Paul closes this section by pointing us toward "the blessed hope," the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We live between two great moments: Christ has already appeared to bring salvation, and He will appear again in glory. That future hope should shape our present lives. Titus 2 reminds us that following Jesus is not about merely avoiding what is wrong. It is about becoming people who reflect His goodness while we wait for His return. We have been saved by grace, we are being trained by grace, and we are living in hope of seeing the One who gave Himself for us.

Titus 1. Day 191 - Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes:

Today's Scripture: Titus 1 (CSB)
Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year
Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Bible Reading Plan
Contact Sean: (seanbailey1985@gmail.com)
Follow NTIY on Facebook: facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

In Today's Episode
Setting Things in Order. Character Before Leadership. Holding Firm to Sound Doctrine.

"Holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it." — Titus 1:9

Titus opens with Paul writing to one of his trusted ministry partners, a man he had left on the island of Crete to "set right what was left undone." The churches needed structure, mature leadership, and protection from false teaching. Paul begins by describing the kind of people Titus should appoint as elders. Once again, Scripture puts character before charisma. A church leader must be above reproach, faithful at home, self-controlled, hospitable, disciplined, and devoted to what is good. Leadership in the church is not simply about having ability. It is about having a life that supports the message being taught.

Paul also makes it clear that elders must hold firmly to the trustworthy Word. They need to be able to encourage believers with sound doctrine and confront teaching that contradicts the gospel. Crete had plenty of voices spreading confusion, empty talk, and deception. Some were even using religion for personal gain. Paul tells Titus not to ignore it. Truth matters because false teaching eventually produces false living. Healthy doctrine should produce healthy disciples, and leaders have a responsibility to protect the church from ideas that pull people away from Christ.

The chapter ends with one of Paul's strongest warnings. Some people "claim to know God, but they deny him by their works." That is the danger of a faith that exists only in words. Titus 1 reminds us that what we believe should eventually become visible in how we live. Sound doctrine is not merely information to memorize. It shapes our character, our relationships, and our obedience. Hold tightly to the truth, choose character over image, and make sure the life you live supports the faith you say you believe.