Dead Man Walking

Heard that before, haven't you? Hopefully not in the context it comes from! "Dead man walking" is a phrase that comes from death row. When an inmate is being taken away for execution, they are often referred to as dead men walking. They walk still, yet their fate is certain at this point. The path they walk now is sure. 

 There was One who while innocent, lived His life as a Dead Man Walking. He came to earth knowing He would die, knowing why, when, how. It was as sure as the fate of a convicted felon ambulating down the corridor for his last time. But we were the convicts, He the Judge, and He taking our place to free us.

Aren't we to live our lives as 'dead men walking?' Not in a morbid, depressed manner. As a Christian, I know my fate! The price has been paid! While my body will die some day, my spirit will live on in God's presence eternally! I have nothing to fear, only joy to feel about the prospect of death some day. 

Then how are we to be 'dead men walking?' As a recipient of God's free gift of salvation, I am free from the chains of sin. This doesn't mean I no longer sin -- it means I'm no longer bound to sin. I don't have to. I can choose not to. The Bible refers to it as being "dead to sin." A dead person cannot do much of anything, much less sin. We are to live our lives as if we were dead as far as sin is concerned. 

Another manner in which we can live as 'dead men walking' is by being aware of our mortality. A common mantra is to "Live each day to the fullest." Those who hear from a doctor that they are terminal cases and have a certain number of months left to live tend to spend those last few months differently from the way they lived previously. That's the way every day should be for us already! God may take us home at any time. Live each day to the fullest -- for Him!