As I was teaching today, I was try to teach on the present benefits of the resurrection, having asked myself, “Why don’t you think about the resurrection–every day?”

As the lesson unfolded (the handout is attached below), it turned into a discussion, and I would hope, a celebration the doctrine of salvation.

One very familiar passage jumped out at me.

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV)

The power which brought Jesus back from the dead, is the power and purpose that drive our walk.

“Walk in newness of life.” The resurrection should compel me to walk in a an entirely new way (Newman and Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans, UBS handbook series; p. 114).

But this is not an issue of effort, though it is not without effort. The ability to walk in a new way, newness of life, is tied to the power of the resurrection. Union with Christ (the wonderful theme of Romans 6) and the purpose and power of the resurrection are what enable us to walk.

And since the clause is a purpose clause (“in order that”) we can state one key reason we are united with Christ in His resurrection is so that we walk in the new life He has provided (not just my assurance of life 1 Corinthians 15).

May we walk in an entirely new way. May we walk in newness of life–radically different, but relationally compelling.

The Practical Benefits of the Resurrection

(Let me also encourage you to check the comments on the April 7 post–hopefully soon this will lead to a fuller discussion of theodicy.)