Taking Out the Trash
When we take our trash to the curb each week, we set the bin in place and walk back to
the house, never giving much thought to where it goes — until there is a problem. Last
month, for some reason, they failed to dump our bin into the truck. Sheri called several
times, and they said they would send another crew out, but, alas, they never did.
Fortunately, it was very cold, so there would be no odor until it was picked up the
following week.
All of this made me wonder what happens to our personal trash — the sins we commit
in our lives. Where do they go when we confess and repent? The obvious answer is that
they just disappear, having been atoned for thousands of years ago when Jesus hung
on the cross and shouldered the burden of all of our sins.
How lucky are we that we don’t have to take our sins to the curb and hope that they get
picked up each week. How blessed are we that we don’t have to worry about disposing
of our iniquities.
There are many passages in Scripture about the forgiveness (and subsequent disposal)
of sins, but one of my favorites comes from I John 1:9, which states that “if we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
So, not only are we forgiven when we confess, but we are also cleansed, leaving our
souls free from the bondage and burden of sin.