The Taiwan Food Scandal: A Metaphor for Sin

During my time in Taiwan, an emerging food scandal became breaking news. Many food companies were exposed as having used a dangerous, cancer-causing chemical in their foods. What began as recalls of only a few affected beverages soon spread to also include yogurt powders, bread, tea, and jam. In many ways, sin is similar to the Taiwan food scandal— it is systemic to our society today, and oftentimes we do not realize just how far-reaching it is until it is exposed before us. The breadth and depth of the Taiwan food scandal was particularly alarming. Over time, best practices in the food industry, driven by the greed and corruption of those on top, made it acceptable for the dangerous chemical to be used in foods marketed to an unknowing public. According to statistics online, more than 900 food products were recalled, affecting nearly 40,000 Taiwanese retailers.

Presumably many Taiwanese enjoyed having the tainted food products before the dangerous chemical used in them was exposed. However, if they continued to consume these tainted food products, they would have faced serious health consequences possibly leading to death. In a similar manner, our sin leads us to imminent death, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), a death that is unavoidable because of our fallen and depraved nature. By the grace of God, the companies using the dangerous chemical were exposed, their products were taken off the shelves, and the Taiwanese public became more wary of what food products they were consuming. Similarly, it is only by the grace of God that we as sinners have been rescued from death unto life, shown the Truth that is the Word of God, and been given the Spirit to powerfully proclaim the Kingdom of God.

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