God's Garbage Disposal System

Once a week, a city garbage truck moves slowly down our street, pausing at every house. Full and sometimes overflowing garbage containers are picked up, emptied into the truck, and returned to the curb of each house. During the next week, as the rubbish accumulates and the odor increases, residents become eager for the return of the garbage truck.

More repulsive than this, is the personal trash that accumulates and resides in our hearts and minds. Some of our garbage, such as hatred, gossip, bitterness and lust, is obviously foul to God. But even what looks like good deeds or upright behavior, can reek like garbage if contaminated by our selfish pride (Proverbs 16:18).

The Bible calls our inner garbage "sin" (James 1:13-15; 1 John 3:4).

In 1 John 1:9, God's garbage disposal system is outlined: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Confession means calling our sins what God calls them (cf. Isaiah 64:6; 2 Samuel 12:7-13). We needn't fear revealing our sins to Him, for He already knows what they are (Hebrews 4:13; cf. Psalm 90:8).

We can thank God, for His sin-disposal service is available everywhere and every day — not just at the assembly on Sunday. He wants to get rid of our garbage. Why not let Him? 

The moment we confess our sins to the Lord, He casts them "into the depths of the sea" and removes them "as far as the east is from the west" (Micah 7:19; Psalm 103:12).

What a great blessing from our loving and merciful Lord! (Psalm 86:5).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets