No denying it. I had heard the frequent buzz about the hit show, The Walking Dead [AMC], but always from the periphery. Not much into television drama, my viewing runs from sports to World War II documentaries. That about covers it. Finally I decided to check out a recent episode, but I didn’t watch long. Too violent for my taste. Perhaps it was this particular episode; I will leave that to the show’s devotees to confirm or deny.
Still, I was interested in the name of the show. It reminded me of an idea that I had been cultivating for several years. It began with the concept of convicted prisoners on death row. Such are often labeled as “dead men walking.” Although still breathing on earth, these prisoners are yet condemned to die.
I believe that a parallel exists in describing the state of unbelievers. There are many all around us who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, Redeemer. One might accurately state that these individuals are dead men and dead women walking. Breathing daily the earthly atmosphere. To all outward worldly appearances, many of them are models of prosperity. Secure, successful, and strong. Others have made trainwrecks of their lives through a string of poor choices, with disastrous consequences.
Yet all have this in common. If any of them died with their next breath, they would face an eternity in Hell. The Bible is unambiguous about this.
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. [Heb 10:26-27 NIV]
One might say today that the “foolishness “ of Christianity is trumpeted more loudly than ever, although it’s probably been prevalent throughout the history of two millennia. God is mocked, Christians are mocked [or much worse depending on the spot on the globe], and hedonism and evil have their way. For a while at least.
For argument’s sake, suppose the atheist or unbeliever is correct. There is no god, no heaven, no hell. This life is all there is, and when we die the body, mind, and spirit are simply annihilated and disappear. Believers in Christ such as myself are fools.
If the above is true, then my life (although considered foolish) would have been on balance a fairly decent one where I attempted to serve my fellow man, love my family, and leave a legacy of selflessness for my grandchildren. The downside if the above were true – believing in an eternity that doesn’t exist [i.e. a victim of a sham]. But I would rest uneventfully in non-eternity just as everyone else.
Yet if I am right [and I firmly believe that I am], the downside for the unbeliever is not only probable lack of peace in this life but eternal and everlasting torment in Hell. It is a bad place to be.
I pray for any and all who do not know Jesus as their personal and eternal Savior. Those who are the “walking dead” and seem not to know it. Lord, convict them of their immediate need.
Never forget: there is forgiveness, peace, love, mercy, and joy in Jesus the Messiah. Freedom from guilt, anger, and the many side effects of sin. Just believe in Him!
Zombie Euphoria
Not a clue, or at least not a care
of the coming judgment and
Holy wrath
None spared, save those saved
by Christ and His death
The remnant gone in a flash
the wider highway awash in walking dead
Blissfully unaware of what lies ahead
05/30/13
A Sinner's Diary 