Volume 29, No. 7
February 15, 2004

Looking Past the Label

   Identifiction.  Not everything is what it seems to be.

   Before World War Two, many products stamped “Made In USA” were not necessarily made in the United States of America.  According to the Encyclopedia Americana and author Eric Lefcowitz (Buy American — Buy This Book), many items imported into North America were made in the Japanese city of Usa, home of a beautiful Shinto shrine.  Businesses set up shop in Usa and sent their goods overseas, stamped with “Made in USA”, effectively avoiding any anti-import backlash.

   Even today, you can’t assume anything.  Just because your orange juice has Florida’s Seal of Approval doesn’t mean it’s from the U.S.  In 1991, for example, 320 million gallons of Brazilian orange concentrate was shipped to the Sunshine State, reconstituted, packaged and sold to consumers across the continent.  Under the rules laid down by the Florida Department of Citrus, juice from anywhere in the world can bear the state’s Seal of Approval if it meets state standards.  Only the “100 Percent Florida” label guarantees the juice is homegrown.

   Not even symbols of pride and patriotism are sacred.  Most of us suppose our flags are made right here at home, but that’s not always the case.  According to industry estimates, up to 15 percent of our flags are made elsewhere,notably Taiwan which has become the world’s number one source.  Those imports are hard to spot because the tags they bear can be torn off very easily.  Experts say the best way to spot a foreign-made flag is to closely examine its quality.  Most imports are printed instead of stitched, and the colours aren’t quite true.   

   In much the same way, Christians show their true colours under close inspection.  Wearing the label “follower of Christ” is no guarantee of faith’s origin or authenticity.  The truth is, some people bear the name but not the Cross. Their faith doesn’t come from the heart.  Instead, it’s a cheap knockoff designed to please friends or appease family, or be good for business.  Sometimes the name is inherited from mom and dad, just like a family name, even though the Bible makes it clear God has no grandchildren.  You’re either his child, or you’re not.  You can’t get into heaven on a Family Pass.

   But labels are often misleading.  Calling yourself a Christian doesn’t make you one;  it all depends on where your faith originates.  In spiritual terms, there’s only one Seal of Approval that counts and it comes from God who is the only true Source of our faith and identity.

   As the apostle Paul says, “He anointed us (chose us), set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what’s to come.”  (2 Cor. 1:21,22).  Even when others try to reformulate faith, or put a pale substitute in misleading packaging, it’ll be seen for what it is, eventually. There’s no substitute for pure,100-percent dependence on God, which is why a false faith is always rooted in pride and pretense.

   As Jesus said, we’ll recognize his followers by their fruit — the things produced in their lives (Matthew 7:16,20).  Look for “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22,23).  Look for the way Christians treat each other.  “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you’re my disciples,” Jesus said (John 13:35).  Look for a lifestyle, not a label. “If someone says, ‘I belong to God’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person’s a liar and doesn’t live in the truth.  But those who obey God’s word really do love him.” (1 John 2:4,5)

   Even when those who wear the name of Christ are wrapped in the flag of faith, we can tell the difference between the sincere and the synthetic.  In the life of the true believer, the character and conduct of Christ will be clearly visible, not just stamped on the surface, but woven into the very fabric of the heart.  A heart whose colours hold fast and clear, no matter what.

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the Followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe, contact sgamble@bfree.on.ca