Toward a Congregation of the Walking Dead
May 30, 2009
Do you recall watching old horror movies with zombies and mummies? Those images of the “living dead” are less than attractive, to say the least! But is the notion of folks who are alive though dead entirely fantasy? Let’s see. Science tells us that eight million blood cells die in our bodies each second. At the same time, eight million new cells are born. It seems that death and life are occurring simultaneously within you even as you read this article! We understand this reality biologically, but we should understand its spiritual implications, as well. Specifically, the apostle Paul commanded the Christians at Rome to consider themselves dead to sin but alive to God (Rom. 6:11-12). And Paul was not a “Do as I say, not as I do,” type individual. To the contrary, he wrote that because of his commitment to Jesus Christ, he was dead even though he was still alive (Gal. 2:20). Paul was among the “walking dead” because he died to self and lived for Jesus. Moreover, he desired the Christians at Rome to make the same decision. From the apostle’s perspective, death and life can occur in the same body. In fact, they must occur before a person can please the Lord (Rom. 6:3-4). How does this apply to you today, friend? Hollywood movies that portray the walking dead as frightful entities are one thing, but God’s revelation regarding people who have died to self and are living for him is quite another! As members of the Lord’s church, let us do all we can to add to the ranks of “the walking dead” and work to move the idea from horror to holy! —JLNJR
