“The Walking Dead, Part 1"

 
INTRODUCTION
          Many of you recognize the title The Walking Dead as a highly successful television series on AMC about a Zombie Apocalypse.  These Zombies prowl the countryside searching for humans to consume or infect.  They are “dead,” but not completely dead…so they are the walking dead.  Not my thing, but it is the most popular show amongst 18-49 year old viewers. (What does this say about you?  LOL). 
          Although, obviously (hopefully), this is pure fiction, we do have the walking dead among us.  That’s right.  Who are they?  Let us take a closer look…unless you’re scared!
 
WHO ARE THEY?
          Who are they?  Who are the walking dead?  Believe it or not, the walking dead were “us.”  That’s right.  We were “zombies” in a way.  Ephesians 2:1 (NLT) – “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.”  The walking dead are composed (or “decomposed,” LOL) of two categories.  First, there are those like us who were once dead in our sins (zombies) but have now been brought back to life in Jesus Christ.  Second, there are those among us at this present time who are Spiritual zombies, that is dead in their sins. 
          Now I have never received a degree in Zombie-ology and, likewise, I have never been certified as an official Zombie Hunter or Zombie Authority.  I want to get that straight now.  I am merely sharing several of my observations as a minister of God who has been active in the transformation of numerous said zombies who were dead in sin into living beings, new creations, and full of life in Christ.  Therefore, I might be classified as a Zombie Transformation Specialist.  [Nevertheless, for today we are blessed to have as our special guest, Dr. Dunning, who has obtained a Ph.D. in Walking Dead Analysis and Treatment.]
 
HOW INFECTED?
          So what are some of the characteristics of the walking dead and how did they get that way?  Was it caused by a mutant virus outbreak?   Let us examine the latter question first.  The walking dead crisis was not precipitated by a rare and destructive virus which passed from one human to another as an airborne infection or through direct contact.  It was caused by a catastrophic mutation which gained entry to humankind through the sin of the first humans on earth. 
This infection…or perhaps a better term would be invasion…which caused spiritual death was subsequently passed down through all succeeding generations through procreation.  Tragically, every human being from that time forward became infected at the time of conception.  
Yes, as a result, the entire race has been contaminated.  Not a single creature has been spared…except One.  We will get to that in a moment.  The human race does not have a cure.  Sin has invaded our inner souls and human spirits.  And sin separates us from God.  We are in deep, deep muck.  No one has a cure.  No one has an answer. 
 
WE WERE ONCE “THEM”
          Now we answer the second inquiry, “What are the characteristics of the walking dead?”  Before we continue though, I believe it is important to interject an important point at this juncture.  Although the souls of the walking dead may appear hideous to us, it is impossible for us to gloat or show any signs of arrogance. 
Why?  Due to the fact that we were all like them at one time.  Our manual in Ephesians 2:1-3 (NLT) clearly and directly conveys this idea, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”  We were just like they are now.    
Plus, we did not do anything in ourselves to be delivered out of Zombieland.  Someone had to come and rescue us…a Superhero if you will.  Again, more about that later.  The point to remember is this…instead of becoming prideful due to our new-found life and the riches thereof, we should be deeply moved with compassion for those who are infected and suffering from the exact same disease we contracted. We want them to be rescued, to be delivered from their affliction, to be “saved” from the torment also.