What does it mean to be in Christ and to be following His way?
Resurrection living is actually recapturing what was lost in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis chapters 1 and 2, we see what God created, and it was all good.
In Genesis 3 we see that the “fall” of humanity led to the breaking of our relationship with God and fracturing our relationships with each other.
Jesus’ resurrection takes place in a garden where He is the new Gardner. Clearly the first day of the week, which is referred to in all the Gospel resurrection accounts, points to a new order and a new creation.
In the resurrection of Jesus, we can live out individually and together, through the Spirit- Genesis 1 and 2. Not perfectly of course, but we are on the road as we wait for His return.
Ross Clifford and Jim Baucom in their new book Rise: Reimagining the Resurrection Life. Sydney: Morling Press, 2021, sets out 8 recovery steps, as we live the resurrection life recapturing Genesis 1 and 2.
These steps are: Overcoming Shame, Rediscovering Work, Embracing Wholeness and Wellness, Standing for Love and Marriage,
Reclaiming Rest in the Sabbath, Committing to Stewardship and Creation Care, Sharing the Gospel and Being Missional, Loving God and Loving Others.
Resurrection living is to be part of the world’s most dangerous idea.
“The most dangerous idea in human history and philosophy remains the belief that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and rose from the dead and that is the most dangerous idea you will ever encounter . . .
“Because it alters the whole of human behaviour and all our responsibilities.
“It turns the universe from a meaningless chaos into a designed place in which there is justice and there is hope and, therefore, we all have a duty to discover the nature of that justice and work towards that hope.
“It alters us all. If we reject it, it alters us all as well. It is incredibly dangerous. It’s why so many people turn against it.
(Former atheist Peter Hitchens, brother of Christopher Hitchens)- Q&A during the “Festival of Dangerous Ideas,” 2013. See https://phillipjensen.com/resources/the-most-dangerous-idea/
Rev Dr Ross Clifford AM is the Principal of Morling College (NSW Baptist) and author of numerous books many of which focus on Christian Apologetics. He is a Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance, President of the Asian Baptist Association, an acclaimed international preacher and speaker, a columnist in many Christian publications, winner of many national and international awards and for many years the Sunday evening Sydney Radio 2CH host. Ross is married to Bev, father and grand father.