A “No Zombies” Gospel?

Galatians 5:1-15

A college English professor of mine made the point that you can tell a lot about a society’s mindset by noting the themes found in its science fiction. For example, Japan is the only nation to ever experience a nuclear attack. Japan is also the birthplace of the Godzilla, a made-for-film reptile supposedly transformed by nuclear radiation. During the cold war there were many films and books that dealt with World War III and the expected aftermath. The early days of the US space program led to stories about space travel and the arrival of aliens from other worlds. Now as we become aware of more and more bio toxins in our environment and of new strains of viruses that continue to develop we see a renewed focus on…Zombies, you know, those flesh-eating creatures who are dead yet living. The national media has carried stories recently detailing the so called “Zombie Apocalypse” and the creatures themselves have found an expanded role on TV and in the movies.

And then we read Paul’s words from Galatians for today: “For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 15:14-15). Yikes! What is Paul talking about? Well, not Zombies, that much is sure. Paul is warning us that cut-throat behavior can lead to unforeseen consequences. While the entire law of God can be summarized in love for our neighbors, the willingness to claw our way to the top and to turn on one another leaves us vulnerable to being clawed, bitten, and devoured ourselves. Let’s call it––not a Zombie Apocalypse––a contagion of self-centeredness that grabs hold of us and won’t let go until we have made ourselves ruler of the mountain no matter the cost.

Consider the preceding verse. There Paul says, “do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another” (v. 13). This is very un-Zombielike behavior. While it still leaves us vulnerable to one another, it does not lead us to the sorts of activities that Paul condemns. Instead, approaching each other in love allows us to demonstrate grace and to be enveloped by God’s will. It also could save us from tearing each other apart.

Prayer: Lord, bless us with community and with the guidance to find it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.