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About a Cure for Zombies

There has been a growing cultural fascination with the concept of Zombies.  Many movies, television shows, and popular books have focused on the actions of these living-but-dead creatures.  Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” current TV shows like “The Walking Dead,” and successful movies like “World War Z” all expose a seemingly insatiable interest in the subject.  You can even go to the internet and purchase real weapons at addresses like, zombie-defense.com, or zombietools.net.      

But, I’ve been thinking that Zombies are not fiction… they are REAL!  The Bible tells us that we actually do live in a world of Zombies… our co-workers, neighbors, family members, and the cashier down at the convenience store all could be Zombies.   

Two thousand years ago the condition was described by the Apostle Paul when he wrote a letter to a church in a town called Ephesus… he describes the Zombie predicament to a tee.  In fact, he told the members of this church that they all used to be Zombies.  He said, “You were dead… in which you formerly walked”.  How’s that for cultural relevance!  The walking dead, described perfectly… in the Bible. 

If you think I’m lying look it up.  Ephesians 2:1,2.   

The amazing thing about what Paul writes however is not that there were Zombies in the first century but that there was and still is a cure!  This is exactly what every hero in every Zombie show is looking for… a Zombie cure.  And it’s been right there in the Bible all this time. 

In Ephesians 2:4-7 lays out the cure every one of the living dead need…

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.  (New Living Translation)  

It’s amazing that the cure for walking around dead is not a thing but a person.  Jesus Christ was sent by God for the purpose of dying on the cross to pay the penalty I deserved so that I could be “born again” to a new life.  I’m no longer dead in my sins, but living life to its fullest – all because I found the “Jesus Christ Cure” for my problem. 

A cure that fantastic and powerful raises a question.  How can a Zombie acquire it?   

Paul goes on in his letter to explain that the cure cannot be purchased, or earned, or inherited, or accidently stumbled over… and Zombies do a lot of stumbling… NO.  The
“Jesus Cure” has been offered as an absolutely free gift from God Himself. 

Paul’s letter explains it this way,

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.   Ephesians 2:8,9 (NLT)  

So it’s clear that when Jesus was talking about being “born again” He was talking about the ability to stop walking around dead in our sins and beginning to live a new life of actual living.  “… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10  

Paul talked about the Zombie cure again in Colossians 2:13 when he wrote,

 

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.  (NLT)  

Notice that Paul used the past tense, “you were dead” but the Colossian Christians (and all Christians) were then made alive through Jesus Christ.  They were no longer going through their lives as the walking, waking dead!  All born-again Christians were once walking-dead Zombies… but now, cured in Christ, we are alive, alive! 

If you are already a Christian, look with new eyes at all the people you encounter during the day.  How many of them are going through their lives as living yet dead, Zombies?  You have the cure.  It’s wonderful news… good news in fact.  Jesus will take them from their scary circumstance of walking deadness to a new life… and the cure is FREE!  Tell them all about it. 

If you’re a Zombie who happens to be reading this, ask yourself, “Don’t I want the cure?”  Aren’t you tired of walking through life dead on your feet?  No purpose, no direction, just getting by – just going through the motions of living, but knowing you’re really dead inside?  Don’t you want real life?   

It doesn’t take any fancy ritual.  If you’re interested in a new life, check out http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/index.htm for a great explanation of how to live. 

And if you’re a Christian, it’s important to never forget that we were all Zombies once.  Don’t forget to see the spiritually dead Zombies all around you and know that you can be the hero who tells them of the fabulous cure you’ve found in the person of Christ. 

Think about it…. all you Zombies and former Zombies.

Is A President's Library Better Than A King's?

Recently George W. Bush’s Presidential Library opened in Dallas, Texas.  Built on the grounds of Southern Methodist University, this beautiful edifice welcomed the public to tour the years of presidential challenges, decisions, and accomplishments.   

It’s been said that a Presidential Library is a place for scholars and members of the public to come, study, and judge that particular president’s place in history.  Anyone can examine the papers of a president and “get to know the man and his thought process.”   

These buildings are full of memos, letters, speeches, drafts of legislation, and exhibits revealing the particular president’s ideas, struggles, and executive decisions.  People can, and have, come to these places of historical information and studied for years in order to understand how these men affected history… and that got me thinking. 

Is a Presidential Library better than the Library of a King? 

There is a place where the thoughts, speeches, legislation, and actions of the world’s greatest King are recorded; a place where scholars and everyday people can come to study; a place where you and I can determine how that King affected history and even affects our lives today.   

That place?  The Bible.  In fact, the word “bible” means “library.”  In fact, if you look up the Spanish word for “library” you’ll find, “la biblioteca.”   

In this “place of books,” The Bible, every one of us can discover the thoughts, letters, songs, laws, and histories of The God of the Universe… The King of all kings.   

The Bible is not some old dusty book.  It is THE place to go to find out about the person of God Himself.  We can go there and study who God is and what He’s like.  This assembly of memos, letters, personal observations, and personal disappointments of God gives each of us a reference point for our own actions and beliefs about this wondrous King.  

“… you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”  2 Timothy 3:15–16  

“The teaching of Your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.”  Psalm 119:130 (NLT)  

If we can get so excited about a Presidential Library opening to give us access to the writings of a man, why are we not excited about spending time in the King’s Library?  Aren’t the words of God more significant for us than even the words of a president who is, after all, just a human being? 

I’ve been thinking that I should approach the Bible as a wondrous, treasure trove of information about how God loves me, what He wants from me, and how I can serve Him.  We can go to the King’s Library and make it our life’s work to study, obey, and teach all that the King’s Library reveals.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”    2 Timothy 2:15  

“For Ezra (and Len) had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances…”    Ezra 7:10  

So take a tour today.  Meet Moses, Job, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, John, Paul, and many other contributors to God’s Library… And maybe if we faithfully visit the King’s Library we’ll get to know God better...and get a cool tee-shirt that says, “I’ve spent time with the King today!”

 

Think about it….

Who Are You Wearing?

We’ve all read of the lavish costume balls of the Renaissance with dignitaries showing up in elaborate masks and even more elaborate suits and dresses.  It seems to be a common desire for man to cover himself with some costume to hide one’s true identity.  Even our fictional superheroes wear costumes.

Putting on a disguising outfit seems to be deep in the psyche of mankind.  When we’re kids, it’s liberating to play “dress up.” It’s a blast for folks to not know exactly who we are.  I remember working for a company where part of my job was dressing up in a cow costume and going to public events.  No one knew who I was so I could act zany and feel totally free.  It was great!     

On the “Red Carpet” during the Academy Awards one of the most common questions commentators asked the beautiful people was, “Who are you wearing?”  And we get a list of wonderful costume designers whose entire profession is making people look good by covering any faults and flaws in beautiful costumes. 

On the judgment day of our deaths we’ll be walking down the “Red Carpet” towards the throne of God and we’ll hear someone yell, “Who are you wearing?” And only one answer will give us entrance into the heaven waiting just beyond God’s righteous judgment. 

If we answer, “What?” or “I’m wearing all my good works and well-meaning efforts” or “Who do you think you are asking a personal question like that?” we’ll never get past the critical eye of the biggest judge of all; a totally Holy God who will not permit sin of any kind – no flaw whatsoever – into His paradise of eternal life. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking – it’s what we’re all going to be thinking.  “How is a sinner like me going to stand before God Himself on His Judgment Day?  When we realize that even the tiniest sin is terrible in a perfect God’s eyes and that like a rock on the tracks, the smallest sin can totally de-rail us on our trip into God’s eternal presence. 

Our sin, even in its smallest version, even a little “white lie” will earn us the spiritual death sentence of hell.  Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23 clearly tell us that every one of us is a sinner and that the punishment for being that sinner is spiritual death. 

So, what are we to do?  It’s time to do what superman does… go into a closet and change into a costume!  A wonderful costume, by a fabulous designer, specifically made to cover up the sin of our rebellious tendencies and flaws and cover us with the wonderful, beautiful, even miraculous garment of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus!

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:26–28 (ESV)

and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:24 (NASB95)

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. …  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.  Romans 13:12, 14 (NASB95)

What a fantastic covering!!  When we stand before the God of the Universe, and He looks at us, all He’s going to see is the covering of His beloved and cherished Son.  It’s not that we fool God – no one can do that.  But He understands that the precious blood of His Son, Jesus has covered us and given us new robes – robes made by the Holy, Sinless Christ when He willingly died for each of us.

So, our challenge is not to wait until we’re walking on that final “Red Carpet,” heading toward God’s loving embrace because of our “Christ costume,” but to wear Christ in my everyday life… putting on Christ every day! 

When people see me going through my daily life can they see Christ who’s covering me?  In blessings and battles am I showing Christ?  When I’m going about my daily life as a Christ-follower, do I wear Him as a miraculous covering of all my sin? 

And when observed by folks who are not believers in Christ, does my demeanor bring them to a point of asking me, “Who are you wearing?” 

Help me Father, to live like that.  And help me confidently answer, “I’m proudly wearing Christ!” 

How ‘bout you?  Who are you wearing? 

Think about it….