Zombie

and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. — Matthew 27:52

When Jesus died on the cross, tombs literally broke open. There were people who had been dead that came back to life. I remember the first time I read this in the Bible. I was absolutely astounded.

Today, I realize that I was a walking dead person before I gave my life to Christ. Here is the definition of a zombie: the body of a dead person given the semblance of life, but mute and will-less, by a supernatural force, usually for some evil purpose. So, yes, I appeared to have the semblance of life because I was breathing. I may have had breath, but I was mute. I could not speak of the things of God because I did not know God. I was will-less because I had not offered my body up as a living sacrifice. Remember Romans 12?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:1-2

So it was, kneeling by my bedside as a 22 year old, I laid my life down as a living sacrifice. I told God I would no longer conform to the pattern of this world. I let Him know that I would constantly renew my mind by reading His Word and filling my head with solid Biblical teaching and solid Biblical music. I might have said the prayer of salvation as a 16 year old, but I chose not to lay down my life. For that little span of 5-6 years I chose to give God my sin, but not my life. I would live my life driven by a supernatural force, usually for some evil purpose. In other words, I would do what I wanted to do, “ask for forgiveness” when convicted about it, and think I was right with God. Then, I would repeat the cycle over and over again. I would remain will-less, especially of His will.

As it stands now, I am so thankful that Jesus gave His life for me. Even though it was a long process, I am even more thankful that I was brought to a place where I would truly give my life to Him. At the time, I did not like it. Satan had me convinced that a true, Godly life was a rip-off. Somehow, only with massive amounts of help from Him, I chose to believe God’s Word instead of my wishy-washy feelings.

As time went on, this tomb broke open. I picture it as a seed being in the ground for a while. Soon, that seed had to burst open and produce some green . . . New life! The body of Adam Hopkins was raised from death to life.

Has yours?

Happy Easter

Adam