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Bishop Jimmy Soriano, as the Spiritual Advisor of a sponsored group to try to turn young people away from drug use in the Philippines has prepared this item “The Walking Dead” which is handed out to as many young people as possible.

THE WALKING DEAD

The pleasures of sin

One reason young people take drugs is because of the pleasure or “kicks” they get. Drugs like Alcohol, Ecstasy, LSD and Speed, are as much a part of the rave culture as the strobe lights and acid music. These mind-bending drugs alter perception of sight and sound, offering pleasure-crazy teenagers the experience of hallucinations and “trips”. It is sad to think that for this new generation of ravers, the risk of sudden death, side effects, or addiction, are outweighed by selfish desires for pleasure. Perhaps you have taken drugs or are considering, for enjoying the “buzz” or are still a user seeking endless pleasure at the raves, beware THE PLEASURES OF SIN ARE ONLY FOR A SEASON. Endless pleasure in this life is only an illusion. When the lights go down, the “trip” is finished, and the thrill is gone, you will still be craving for satisfaction. The lights of your life will go down, your “trip” on earth will finish, the pleasures of sin will have ceased, and you may have sold your soul, to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. It is the devil’s intention to have you so occupied with sinful pleasure that you will not think about death or eternity. The reality is that we must all pass from this life – The ultimate question is – what then? Tell me, where will your soul spend eternity?

The result

“Be not deceived. God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth; that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7.

The farmer who plants barley in his ground, will not come back at harvest time and reap a crop of potatoes. No! If you sow barley, then you reap barley. This is the unchanging law of the harvest – You reap what you sow. The devil wants to deceive you into believing that God won’t punish your sin. That is why God through His written Word warns us. “Be not deceived.”

The walking dead

“Boils and abscesses plague the skin; gnawing pain racks the body. Nerves snap; vicious twitching develops. Imaginary and fantastic fears blight the mind, and sometimes complete insanity results. Most times others are hurt. Often times too, death comes much too early in life … Such is the torment of drugs, such is the plague of being one of the walking dead.

Young people, you need to stop and consider what God says. You may be determined to live recklessly, destroying your body and soul with alcohol and drugs, but be warned THERE IS A FEARFUL HARVEST. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. The Bible here is referring to spiritual death – separation from God forever in the here-after. To many people Hell is a swear word, a joke, or simply the figments of one’s imagination. God’s Word teaches the final resting place of delinquent souls is a place of sorrows, weeping, torments, outer darkness, unquenchable fire and everlasting punishment. The pleasure of sin may cost you little financially, but your next “trip” may end with you condemned to suffer forever.

The only remedy

The Lord Jesus Christ said: “I am come that they might have life and they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. The life that the Lord Jesus Christ offers you is a new life abounding with pardon, peace and everlasting joy. It is life with a capital L. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” He further promises, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Again He has promised, “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Again He has promised “I go to prepare a place for you.”

This place is the opposite of a place of sorrow, it is a place of peace “God’s kingdom.” There is only one Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. The way to this kingdom is to repent our sins, prepare for this final “trip” by taking freely of His sacraments as the means of receiving His grace and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour of all in the world – and that includes you. Answer His call to “deny yourself, take up the cross daily, and follow Him. And Begin a New Trip.”

If you are looking for life, stop looking right now,

For it’s Jesus only, who can give life to you,

So just open your heart and unlock the door,

Let Jesus Christ cleanse your life through and through.

It is a message for us all.