Friday, July 19, 2019

MATT Good morning! I’m Matt Farmer, Associate Pastor at Central United Methodist in Meridian. Once a week, a truck moves slowly down our street, pausing at every house. Its purpose is to collect the oftentimes overflowing contents of the garbage bins at the end of each driveway. While it’s not a job that most of us think about too often, we are typically gratefully for its completion each week. But what do we make of the garbage that accumulates in our hearts and minds? This inner garbage is what the Bible calls sin. Some of our garbage— like hatred, gossip, bitterness, lust— is obviously foul. But even what looks like good deeds or upright behavior can reek like garbage if contaminated by our selfish pride. In 1 John 1:9, God’s garbage service is outlined: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Thank God, His sin-disposal service is available everywhere and every day, not just at church on Sunday. He wants to get rid of your garbage. Confess your sins today and let God clean up your life.