Call It What It Is

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:22

If I ripped the label off a bottle of poison and replaced it with a label that said “chocolate syrup,” you would think I was crazy, if not utterly evil. I may have done real harm by mislabeling the liquid. Accuracy in labeling is important in more ways than one.

These days, for instance, many people do not like us to use the term sin, but I think it is important that we correctly label a poison so that we know exactly what antidote to administer. Romans 3:23 tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin is to miss the mark, and sin is why God sent Jesus into the world to redeem us.

So when you’re tempted to dismiss something as a mistake or a slipup, make sure you’re using an accurate label. Ask your heart, “What’s the real problem, and what’s the necessary cure?” Only when we call out sin for what it really is will people know to go to Jesus, the Lamb of God, and be washed clean by His forgiveness and sacrifice. Ask Him to open your mind today to call sin what it is—and to draw you to Him for the cure He freely gives us.

Thank You for opening my eyes to the truth about my sin and for forgiving me for it. Help me boldly use the right labels so others can know the blessings of forgiveness and eternal life.