I didn’t preach this past weekend, but we read from the first chapter of James during the service. It’s a passage I love.
But here’s the verses that really speaks to me when I think of people out there who say, “I’m spiritual but not religious.”
“If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:26-27
These people who look at the church, or “religion” today are seeing a certain thing. They are seeing buildings. They are seeing denominational structures of various sorts. They are seeing certain news stories coming out of corruption and other evil acts in the church.
These are not examples of religion. At least not as defined by James.
James gives us a true, biblical definition of what “religion” looks like. Notice there’s no mention of building. No mention of committees or denominations.
Religion is service. Religious is the giving of ourselves to better the lives of others.
It’s love. In action.
How are we doing?
Somewhere along the way we lost this definition. Is it no wonder why people have lost their connection with religion when we ourselves are not living it out?
Let’s get it back! Let’s remember what it means to represent Christ to the world. Let’s be agents of hope, change, and, most importantly, love! Not just for the folks around us, but especially those who need it most in our communities.
Imagine the consequences of the church living out a religion as James defines for us!
I enjoyed Preaching on the passages from James and those verses stood out for me as well Nick. To think Luther called this a book of “straw”. I am so happy it made it into our Scriptures.
Like I read, James just wasn’t feeling “Creative” one Saturday afternoon, but rather addressed a real concern in the Church.
I keep looking for your posts. Thanks for sharing.
Good word Nick, I just got back from a couple weeks in Africa and saw this legit religion in action. People giving up whatever they had to so widows and orphans could be taken care of. It was incredible and convicting. I’ve been thinking for a while about how many “widows and orphans” are all around us that we are not caring for the way the word says. So many women left alone with kids to raise because men have gone west to work or just straight up split and abandoned their roles as fathers. We don’t have to look far to find these widows and orphans (not to mention actual orphans and widows that are all around us) and start serving them the way Jesus wants us to. God spoke pretty clearly to Israel through Isaiah 1 and 58 and in Amos, that he want them to stop the religious acting and start the doing real religion, seeking justice, caring for orphan and widow, loosing the chains… I think the church in general is in the same boat and needs a few more people to start speaking up the way the prophets of old did. God’s not likely to be so rough with the church as He was with Israel since we’re under Grace instead of Law now, but is likely to let all the imitation religion, the imitation church, bury itself so another generation can catch fire for this stuff and take some action. Unless of course we get busy and start pouring gas on the little sparks that are still left 😉
Be blessed.
Very well put Nick. I am hoping to initiate a program in the spring called Outside The Walls whereby volunteers will do whatever service is needed for others in the community. Within reason of course. Nothing illegal or immoral and as long as it is a reasonable cost. But for example if anyone needs computer help, I will do that. I am sure we will mow lawns, take out trash, clean gutters, etc. I want to show out church as one like-minded with Christ who came to serve rather than be served.