James, the half-brother of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit says in James 1:26-27, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
Sometimes, people say “Religion” is a bad thing. Certainly, there have been terrible events that have happened in the name of religion. However, one must define what they’re referring to when speaking about religion. Let’s make some observations from the passage above to see what we can learn from James about religion.
The word refers to one’s holy service and exercise of devotion to God.
The word Religion and Religious are used a few times in the New Testament. We have it here in James and in Acts 13:43 where it says, “Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing (religious) proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue to in the grace of God.” The word “Religion” is used in five passages, Acts 26:5, Galatians 1:13-14, and the passages in James.
James says Religion is a good thing! There is such a thing as pure and undefiled religion!
As We think about being religious, we need to consider what God sees! One can think himself to be religious, but his actions must also align with his words. It’s not enough to be say we are religious, but we should be living in a way well-pleasing to the Lord. Specifically, James speaks about the tongue (James 3).
We can deceive ourselves when it comes to being religious. What we say is what is in our hearts, Mark 7:21-23. The apostle John spoke about the dangers of Christians deceiving themselves (1 John 1:8). While a person may deceive others and even themselves, God can’t be deceived.
God sets the standard for religion! God tells us what He’s looking for in His people. He’s looking for purity, helping the needy (which requires action), and to be in the world but not of the world. This is the religion that God will accept.
James has already spoken on speech in James 1:19 and returns to it again as he speaks about pure religion. We should take seriously what we say.
Widows and orphans were often singled out in the Old Testament. In Psalm 68:5, it says, “A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation.” Like our heavenly Father, we should be concerned for widows and orphans.
We are to be unstained from the world. James will speak of heavenly wisdom and worldly wisdom later in James 3. We must guard our actions and our hearts from the things of the world if our religion is going to be pure and undefiled.
True religion is both inward and outward. One who is going to be religious and accepted by God must be hearers and doers of His word, James 1:21-25. We must submit ourselves to the teaching of Jesus and His apostles. A transformation of the heart must occur and when it does, the proper fruit will be demonstrated outwardly.
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
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