Today Is Garbage Day!

Every week, I have to remind myself to take out the garbage for the trash pick-up which occurs early Wednesday morning. Like any other man, it’s not one of my favorite jobs, but I muster up the determination to get it done and then just do it. Afterward it’s a nice feeling to have it out of the house, and I forget about it till the following week.

Just as we need garbage trucks to pick up the garbage that accumulates in our homes, we need to allow Jesus to remove the “trash” that inevitably accumulates in our hearts. When we forget to take out the trash, it’s not a pretty picture.

Jesus wants us to dump it regularly allowing His blood to "cleanse us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). In fact, He has promised, not only to "remove" our sins (Psalm 103:10-12), but to "forget" them as well (Hebrews 8:12; Hebrews 10:17; cf. Romans 11:27; Jeremiah 31:34).

But let’s ask ourselves this question: “Could we be rummaging through the cans, trying to find that thing we weren’t quite ready to part with?” A sinful habit we don’t want to give up, a fantasy we want to cling to, a revenge that we still want to ignite?

The question is, "Why are we wanting to hang on to the garbage?"

Taking out the trash begins with confession, and then counting on Jesus to get rid of it.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ).

For the Christian, today is garbage day. Let’s take it out and then leave it there for the Lord to dispose of!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets