DIGGING DEEP NO 1057 – October 22,2024                              Pure And Undefiled Religion                                         James 1:26-27

What kind of religion do we have? Is it like a SPARE TIRE, used only in the case of an emergency? Or a WHEELBARROW, easily upset and must be pushed? Or is it like a BUS, ridden only when it goes your way? Whatever kind of religion we have, it is of no value unless it is pleasing to God in heaven.

In James 1:27, we find a definition of what constitutes “pure and undefiled religion before God” To be sure that our own religion is acceptable before God, let’s notice some attributes of Pure And Undefiled Religion as indicated in this verse and its immediate context. In the First Century, orphans and widows had very little means of economic support. Unless a family member was willing to care for them, they were reduced to begging, selling themselves as slaves, or starving. By caring for these people, the church put God’s word into practice.

First, Pure and Undefiled Religion must be A PRACTICING RELIGION. It involves doing something on our part. This is clearly implied in the phrase “to visit”. The context prior to this verse also makes it clear that we must be “doers” and “not hearers only” James 1:22-25 This echoes the teachings of Jesus Himself in Matthew 7:21 If we are not doers, we are deceiving ourselves. In fact, we can conclude that a religion which is not a practicing religion is a dead religion.

Next, Pure and Undefiled Religion” must also be A PRACTICAL RELIGION. God did not intend for our religion to consist solely of going to church. Extending our heart to God in worship is certainly important but so is extending our hand to man in service. James 1:27 Throughout the New Testament, much emphasis is placed upon doing good. From the writings of Paul in Galatians 6:10; Titus 2:14; 3:8,14

In Hebrews 13:16, also from the Apostle John 1John 3:17-18 emphasis is placed on doing good. Until we apply the Word of God by showing kindness and compassion for the poor and helpless, all the preaching, teaching, and studying we may do cannot make our religion pure and undefiled.

A further attribute of Pure and Undefiled Religion is that it is A PERSONAL RELIGION. This is implied by the use of singular pronouns in the text. “anyone” James 1:23 “he”, “his” James 1:23 “himself”, “he”  James 1:24 “he”, “this one”  James 1:25 “anyone”, “he”, “his”, “this one’s”  James 1:26 “oneself” James 1:27 There is a place for Corporate giving. That is, where we give in conjunction with others to meet a need like helping needy Christians 1Corinthians 16:1-2 But it was never intended to replace our individual and personal responsibility. Some might think that their giving on Sunday fulfills their responsibility to the poor, the widows, and the orphans, that it fulfills their obligation to preach the gospel,

But God intended for corporate giving to only meet certain needs. He still expects us to fulfill our personal service to the poor, widows, and orphans as we have the ability and opportunity.

Just as we find in the Old Testament. Though the third-year tithe was for widows and orphans, they were to always help them whenever they had the opportunity.

To practice Pure and Undefiled Religion we must make it personal; we can’t pay someone else to do our work for us. We cannot excuse ourselves by saying “I gave at the church”.

One last point we need to make concerning Pure and Undefiled Religion; it must be A PURE RELIGION. This sounds redundant, but in our day, it must be emphasized. Our society has become increasingly immoral and materialistic. Such is wreaking havoc upon many in the Lord’s church. Our religion is for nothing, unless it is PURE – without blemish. It must be untainted.

But if we are sinners as affirmed in 1John 1:8, How can we ever be  PURE, UNDEFILED, AND UNSPOTTED? It is possible, only BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST which can cleanse us and make us pure if we walk in the light with God 1John 1:7 This involves keeping the commandments of God 1John 2:3

For example, experiencing the INITIAL CLEANSING of the blood when we obey the commands to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins Acts 2:38 and, experiencing the continuous cleansing of the blood when we confess our sins to God 1John 1:9 It is possible only BY THE HELP OF GOD who not only provides the blood of Christ to cleanse us from sin but also a way of escape in times of temptation –1Corinthians 10:13 Yes, with Christ’s blood and God’s help, it is possible to be pure, undefiled, and unspotted by the world. And this is what makes the religion of Jesus Christ unique. Other religions may be practicing, practical and personal but only the true religion of Jesus Christ can present one pure in the sight of God John 14:6