Labels

In today's local paper I read an article from the front page titled FDA Calling for Stricter Labeling of Sunscreens. Apparently the government has decided that there should be some "truth in labeling" requirements. All this is around the fact that there are two types of harmful ultraviolet light, UVA and UVB, which affect the skin differently. UVA rays cause the skin to tan and actually penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays, which cause the skin to burn. Well currently, the SPF ratings only measure protection against UVB rays. Big Deal, right?!

What jumped off the page to me had nothing to do with growing up as a fair-skinned-burn-at-the-thought-of-the-sun-redhead... I'm a pastor, a Christian at that, and so- cliche or not- there, of course, had to be a deeper meaning in the newspaper than the FDA and Sunblock! :^p

Think about this... what if, as the church, we have had this problem all along too? You know, Truth in Labeling issues... what if, as the church, we have been giving away a mislabeled product claiming to protect people from the harmful effects of the unseen powers of sin.

Stick with me here...

Too often our message is understood to be the "cure-all" and yet it only contains enough to cover the surface issues. We've protected the surface burn and become content justifying the good looking tan we come out with. Unfortunately, much like the UVA rays that leave the tan on the outside, uncovered -excused away- sin is left to attack deep within.

What am I getting at?

What if our label read "Our gospel has been proven 99.9% effective in positively adjusting a person's outward appearance while allowing sin to eat away and destroy the heart." Ouch!
When we leave out the power of the Full-Gospel message, lead and inspired by the Holy Spirit, that is exactly what we end up with... that would be "truth in labeling!"

God help us, as your church, to be filled with your truth. Require us to rise to your standards of love and forgiveness through Jesus your son to bring protection and freedom from the effects of sin deep within to the world around us in need.