Sin

I believe all of us have gone through a time when something untrue was said about us. While this is certainly hurtful, if we are Christians, it is also a sin of the person delivering the message. I looked up what the Webster's New World Dictionary says about "gossip." Under the second entry it reads: "a person who chatters or repeats idle talk and rumors, esp. about the private affairs of others." So this can be a private truth about another. But what if there is no validity to a story?

We are at the last weekend of January. I am wondering how many of us have started on our New Year’s resolutions. Some are off and running on promises that we made to ourselves. Others may feel that the year just got ahead — and a hold — of them. It is already running their lives with stress, busyness or both. What I find so amazing about our Lord is that it is never too late for new starts with Him. Fresh starts are just a prayer and a conviction away. They are about repentance — not just admitting we are doing wrong, or need forgiveness, but actually turning our back and walking away from the sin. In the case of New Year’s resolutions, the same concept applies.

I often hear people recite the Scripture, "Do not judge, or you will be judged" (Matthew 7:1). But, as Christians, we are indeed called to judge and point out each other's sin. I was reflecting upon this concept of judgment the other day. A professor of mine said, "We are in fact called to judge." The Bible gives strict guidelines that we are supposed to recognize and point out sin in another believer's life: "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3)

I have been pondering the concept of redemption. Certainly we are all sinners. If not for the salvation that God offers us through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, none of us would experience salvation. How can we begin to understand God's design for the redemption that man is so desperately in need of? For us to be redeemed means that we are released from our sin. But for this to take place, there must be a payoff. Redemption is God's way of reuniting sinful man to Himself. It is the means by which we are forgiven and able to fellowship with God and receive salvation.

Marshall Allen GLENDALE -- For local pastors in the mostly conservative 32-church San Fernando Presbytery, the idea of ordaining homosexuals as pastors raises questions about the denomination's view of the authority of Scripture. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, with more than 2.5 million members. On June 15, the denomination's General Assembly voted 317-208 to send an amendment proposal to local presbyteries that, if ratified by a majority of them, would delete what's known as the "fidelity and chastity" provision from the denomination's Book of Order.

Today I write to those who serve as leaders in the church. But these words will also apply to God's children in general. Just as many of us are part of a natural family, we are also part of the body of Christ. God's word has specific guidelines for us as his children, and as leaders. It is a call to personal obedience. II Timothy 2:24-25, "And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:13. I am curious about how many of us live in a polarity of this verse. What I am suggesting is that some of us are guilt-driven (unable to forgive ourselves long after God has forgiven us), and some use this verse to receive quick forgiveness: saying a prayer, accepting the forgiveness, only to use it again when the desire to step out of God’s will becomes another temptation. Let’s look at the first.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:13. I am curious about how many of us live in a polarity of this verse. What I am suggesting is that some of us are guilt-driven (unable to forgive ourselves long after God has forgiven us), and some use this verse to receive quick forgiveness: saying a prayer, accepting the forgiveness, only to use it again when the desire to step out of God’s will becomes another temptation. Let’s look at the first.

My husband and I took the kids to Las Vegas over their winter break from school. Some of you might think it's crazy to take two 7-year-olds to Sin City, but our son wanted to see the sights and we thought that a couple of nights wouldn't morally corrupt him too much. When you have small kids, you don't stay at the hottest hotels or go to the clubs (not that we ever did before). We stayed at an extended-stay hotel far from the Strip so we wouldn't be in the midst of the noise and chaos.

What does it exactly mean to forgive? It is for the other person? Us? God? The Bible does tell us to forgive and likens it to the way God forgave us through Christ's sacrifice. "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32). Some people have been extremely injured in life. They may be stuck and unable to move on. When this happens, some seemingly caring Christian may tell them they need to forgive and move on, that lack of forgiviness is a sin. But what if someone is traumatized, wronged, or just plain hurt by another person they have forgiven, and they can't move on emotionally?

I want to thank Police Chief Ron De Pompa for being and staying in Glendale in 2010. When I was in high school, I never thought a classmate would be chief of police. This is a time we really need someone with experience in growing and working in this city. Citizens, police and honesty helps the city feel safe. With the community’s help, Glendale will stay in the top 10 of safest similarly sized cities. JIM CANFIELD Glendale   Print shorter opinions from your readers I have been reading the News-Press under its several names and forms for almost 80 years.

Why do we as Christians sometimes focus so intently on other?s sins and not see the speck in our own eye? I write ?sometimes? because we do not constantly behave in this way. But it impresses me when someone is spiritually mature and refrains from such action. Being spiritually mature means not being judgmental and pointing out what others do and comparing your life to theirs. Spiritual maturity is sitting without chipping in while others gossip, listening with compassion when someone does sin or we hear they?