We Americans have different thoughts when it comes to "dirty laundry."  Some of us feel that our "laundry" can only become truly clean when exposed to the light of day; that is, figuratively hanging it out on the clothes line in order to be refreshed by sunlight and the movement of fresh air.  Yet others of us feel that "hanging out our dirty laundry for the whole world to see" is somehow inappropriate, that our weakness and failing should be a private affair, that we should just take care of it ourselves.  But that seems to be counterintuitive to the gospel message.  The gospel clearly states that no one is exempt from having "dirty laundry" and that is the reason behind the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  We need the laundry detergent of his gospel.  Further, we need-in order for our laundry to be washed-to be willing to claim we have "dirty laundry" in our lives that requires the bright light and clean air of confession in order for us to become cleansed and free of the grime of sin.  Praise God for the laundry detergent of Jesus and his gospel, for as the laundry of our lives tends to get dirty over and over again, we have the cleansing power of the Savior at
our disposal to make sure the laundry of our lives doesn't stay filthy and
un-wearable but clean and free of the permanent stain of sin.

 

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

 

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and 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.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.