Thursday, June 26, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Titus 3

My decision to jump the broom happened in August 2007, and the physical act quickly followed that December. The thought of proposing surprised me so much, I didn’t want to plan past Erica saying “yes.” I would have happily gotten married the next day.

You see, before that summer, I didn’t want marriage or children - until I did. I knew God orchestrated the transformation, so I had faith in everything that came with the new me.

Things didn’t magically become easy overnight, but I embraced my new life. I finally let go of the many things that prevented me from pursuing a rebirth of my dreams and goals - things that kept me from becoming the man I was ready to become. My focus switched from superficial relationships to marriage and fatherhood.

In the song Love U 4 Life, the group sings: “Promises you made me. We’ll be together for eternity. Will you believe in love, and the promise that it gives? I know that things were rough, but my faith wasn’t strong enough.” The song's meaning has changed over the last 30 years for me. The lyrics shifted from a union before God to also showing God’s union with us.

Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The cross represents the burden that Jesus carried and his death for us, but it also symbolizes his resurrection. Everyone - past, present, and future - died on the cross with Jesus, including you. And like Jesus, you can also be resurrected.

This doesn’t just apply to our inevitable physical death, it also means that when we die to our sin and choose to live out God’s purpose for us, we are given a new heart and new life. Shedding your past mistakes and hurts sounds like Good News, especially when you live out the new version of yourself afterwards.

No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve done, God views you with love and delight. When you accept Jesus’ sacrifice, you are entering into a union with God. Through your faith, you are accepting his promises as truth and choosing to walk and live according to his will.

Questions:
What Good News do you share about God? Is it difficult for you to view the cross as Paul did - the place where your sin died alongside Jesus?

Next Steps:
Share God’s transformation in you by telling your story to others in a small Group. Grow your faith by studying Scripture, especially with others.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for a love strong enough to save me. Help me guide others to know the truth and promises of your love. I never want to be selfish enough to think everyone shouldn’t experience stepping out of their grave clothes. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

This post was written by Jaron Camp, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.