The Hidden Rotten

 The discovery was not a pleasant one. Something that will go down in Edwards folklore for years to come. Turner looked for a menu we thought was in a back pocket of one of the two front seats in our Yukon. He did not find a menu but did make another discovery. One we all regretted. 

He found a rotten taquito wrapped in a plastic bag. The taquito had a bite taken out of it. The rest of it had turned green. Turner opened the bag and the rancid smell permeated the air, penetrated our nostrils, and turned our stomachs at the same time. If you have ever cleaned vomit, you have a good representation of what that partially rotten taquito smelled like. 

We finally ascertained when it had been left in that seat pocket. Months ago. We had no clue it lay hidden and rotting. It remained hidden for months. The rancid smell was self contained in the plastic bag. Once it was exposed it could no longer be ignored. 

Isn't that just like sin. It takes root in our hearts, souls and minds. Sometimes we do not even realize it has buried itself. We may forget it is there altogether. Then one day it surfaces. The rotten, foul, stench brings conviction from the Holy Spirit. 

There we stand face to face with the hidden rotten sin in our lives. We face a decision. Do we try to conceal the sin from others and keep up our religious appearance? Do we choose repentance and restoration with the Lord? 

Sadly, many try to conceal it. Afraid to be exposed. They lie to others and God. Many have dirty rotten sins they hate but cannot get free from. Like a foot caught in a bear trap, they are unable to free themselves. They pray. The pledge never to fall into the same sin again. They recommit. They fail and the whole cycle repeats itself. They are trapped. 

They are like the prodigal son. They have wandered from the faith and holiness. All seems fine for awhile. Until the hidden rotten rancid smell of sin eventually services. 

In those moments, we need to be reminded of some important truths. God loves and is willing to cast our sins as far as the east is from the west. Ps 103:12. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance. Rom 2:3-5. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us all unrighteousness. I Jn 1:9. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1. He offers forgiveness, restoration, and freedom for those who will take it. 

When Turner opened that bag, I pulled over in a parking lot  and told him get out and find a trash can. I wanted that out of the vehicle. We should feel the same way about sin. We should want to get rid of it. We should want it gone. To be rid of it. To be free from it. 

Sin is not something to play around with. God desires truth in the hidden part of our lives. See Psalm 51. Truth in the parts we do not want anyone to have access. God wants to clean house. To sweep the corners. Once the rotten taquito was removed from the vehicle the stench soon faded. 

We can give off a stench too. Not of body odor. Rotten attitudes. Half hearted devotion. Lackluster service. Hypocrisy hiding authentic relationship with God. All give off a foul stench to those around us. We may be nose blind to it spiritually. It may be more evident and even repulsive to others.  It is time to remove hidden rotten sin from our lives.