By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Scripture: 1 John 1:8–10 (NKJV)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Garbage collection was this past Friday at my house. As usual, I put my trash outside, confident that sanitation would pick it up in the morning. But to my dismay, the garbage can and the bag inside were still there. Somebody had added a cardboard box on the outside of the can and some bottles on the outside!
Regrettably, we were stuck with somebody else’s trash, along with our own, for the entire weekend.
Leftover household trash is a temporary inconvenience. Eventually, the Department of Sanitation will come along and take it away. But imagine carrying past trash in your spirit, not for a weekend, but for an entire lifetime—and then carrying that trash into eternity! The Bible calls that trash SIN.
The Apostle John tells us something important in 1 John 1:8–10. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
From those verses of scripture, there are three lessons worth remembering. First, we must acknowledge our trash.
Nobody is exempt from sin. Romans 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Our titles, positions, accomplishments, and religious affiliations do not make us sinless. We cannot get rid of something we refuse to acknowledge. God already knows our shortcomings. We don’t have to pretend with Him!
Second, we must confess our trash. Confession means agreeing with God about our sins instead of making excuses for them. We must stop blaming others, minimizing our behavior, and pretending that yesterday’s mistakes never happened. We confess directly to God through Jesus Christ, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us.
Third, we must allow God to cleanse our trash. God doesn’t just forgive us; He cleanses us! He doesn’t merely remove the offense; He begins transforming the offender. He renews our minds, restores our spirits, and gives us strength to walk in a different direction.
I know because I have some past trash of my own. Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin were once part of my life. My past trash was piled high! But I cried out to the Lord, and He heard me. It didn’t happen overnight, but God delivered me. I am not telling you this to glorify my past, but to glorify the God who brought me out! 2nd Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. Old things have passed away, and all things have become new.
A colleague once shared something profound with me: “Every saint has a past, but every sinner has a future.” Every time I write or speak those words, I am reminded that your past may be part of your testimony, but it does not have to be your identity. No sin is too big for God’s mercy, and no past is beyond the reach of His grace. This should encourage us to stop carrying what God has made provision to remove!
The trash of your yesterday can become the treasure of your future because God has forgiven you, God is cleansing you, and God has a future for you. You are free at last…, free from past trash.
Be Blessed!
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