Growing up, I don’t remember we had one of these, but I’m sure we did. Everyone had a wringer washer. “Wringer washers were used from the mid-1800s until the 1980s” Google. The wringer washer used a simple process: 1. Water; 2. Soap; 3. Pressure.

First, the agitator forced hot soapy water through the fabric removing the soil. After the clothing was rinsed, it was put through the wringer (rollers) to press the water out of the fabric. It was nothing “gentle” about the process. But according to Lehman’s Simple Living Blog, “…they’ll get your clothes cleaner, faster, and cheaper than any automatic washing machine ever made.”

In many ways God uses the similar process. It’s the Blood of Jesus, the Plan of Redemption in God’s Word and the Power of the Holy Spirit that removes our sin. But first we must bring our dirty laundry, our sinful lives to the washer. We may not like to admit it, but “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Our sins stink. We know sin is serious because, “For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23. And finally we know, “Your (God’s) eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” Habakkuk 1:13. In summary, unless we wash away our sin, we are doomed to an eternity without God & His Love. Forever separation.

So, how do I deal with my sin? “If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. When I looked up the word “confess” I found, “The primary Greek word for “confess” is homologeo which basically means “to say the same thing” and then “agree, admit, acknowledge.” Bible.org. To say the same thing & agree with God, not God agrees with me. This is not found is someone’s opinion, but must be in agreement with God’s Word.

God knows our heart. Think about this. From Psalm 139:1-5, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before” Clearly, to confess is to agree with God what He already knows. He knows the secrets you never told your mother.

After we come clean with God, we repent. Jesus tells us in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The word “repent” in Greek means, “In the New Testament, repentance is seen as a decision, not an emotion. The original intent of the word was to take on a new and life-changing mindset.”  Don’t go back to the old life. This new way, this total change of life & direction is what Jesus was telling Nicodemus about in John 3. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Now savor this Promise from God. “All glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God His Father. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.” This is the Good News I focus on. Whose news are you following?