Don't Open - Dead Inside

If any of you recognized the title of this post, it's pretty safe to say that you've already become at least partially involved in the "zombie culture" as a member of the Walking Dead fanbase. I don't know exactly how or when, but our culture has quickly become obsessed with the idea of fighting the undead, post-apocalyptic survival, and heroic humanity prevailing in the midst of inhuman danger. From the popularity of the television show "The Walking Dead", to movies like "Warm Bodies", "World War Z", "Zombieland", "I Am Legend", etc., to popular zombie fiction, to the rise of survival guides (UCI even offered a free zombie apocalypse survival course online last semester), it is clear that zombies are becoming a trend to be reckoned with. I must admit that I, too, have become a part of the system - yes, I am a Walking Dead fan, I took a couple modules of that UCI course (before my real school became too demanding for me to continue), I love a good zombie movie, and I have even begun calling my daily workouts "Zombie Apocalypse Preparation Sessions" (or ZAPS) for motivational purposes. For those of you who are fellow zombie apocalypse fans, I'm sure you understand my addiction. To those of you who will have nothing to do with zombies, however, stay with me... there is an important application here! I'm not just bringing it up for the fun of it (although it is fun, haha). ;) The reason I mention this recent trend is to inform you that (speaking to Christ followers here), WE ARE ALL ZOMBIE SLAYERS. How awesome is that?!? Okay, before I get too excited here, let me explain so that you can be excited too. :) 

The concept was first introduced to me by Fred, my incredible philosophy professor, and it goes a little something like this: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4, ESV)" So the "old man", or the sinners we were before Jesus, is technically considered to be "dead". This is confirmed a few verses down... "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11, ESV)" The old part of us is dead, and the "new man", or who we are after being raised in Christ, is alive! The problem comes into play when the old man tries to rise up again. That which is dead tries to get up and start walking again - tries to take control of your life. But through the power of God, we must put to death the old man and live in the newness of life which Christ offers! What does this look like exactly? The following passage explains this concept perfectly...

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:1-10, ESV) [emphasis added]

See? We're zombie slayers. So. Much. Awesome. If you embrace the ritualistic preparation for your future (and, fortunately, fictional) days of "zombie slaying" like I do, let's get just as amped to slay the actual, literal zombie in our lives - our old, sinful selves! When temptation comes your way, don't think of how nice it would be to give in to it just this once, or to just indulge a little bit before backing off... start thinking, IT'S A ZOMBIE! KILL IT!!! And then do so. :) That is my exhortation for the day, brothers and sisters. Don't get bit. Destroy them walkers. And have an awesome zombie-slaying day!