May 25

True Religion

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

What an interesting text this is, one that describes what God views as true religion. We are surrounded in this world by much religion, but apparently it is not true religion. James tells us that true religion that is pure and faultless is this: a caring religion, a religion that reaches out to the helpless, to widows and orphans in their distress, in their temporal need. It is not surprising that James would say this, for this is exactly the example Jesus left us: he reached out to those in need. So it is with his followers; we must reach out to those in need, whether it be temporally or spiritually. There is so much we can do for others, but there is a second command that James gives: that we keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. That is a more difficult task, especially in the culture in which we live. The world around us has truly rebelled against God and become more and more alienated from Him, but they haven't a clue. They would drag us down with them for they love company and companionship, but we must resist. We must keep ourselves pure from the lures of this world. We must maintain God's purity of both doctrine and life. This may mean we will be shunned and told we are intolerant, but in order to maintain true religion in God's eyes, we must keep ourselves from being polluted by the very world in which we live.

Father, help us to look around today and give of ourselves to those in need, the helpless ones that you care about and are looking after. Help us to be your hands and reach out to them in your love. And Father, keep us pure. Let us not wallow in the mire for one more minute that we might feel accepted by the world, but let us remain clean and pure and make a stand for you and Christ's righteousness even though that might mean persecution. Give us the strength and the vision to live out true and pure religion in our lives this day.  Amen