Trailblazin Ministries

Pure Religion - James 1:27

Written by LaRosa Johnson
Thursday, 02 August 2007

In our last devotion, we took a very hard look at what it means for us to have a worthless religion, especially one that is exposed as worthless because of our actions, even though we may profess and follow rituals. Today, we want to take some time to look at the kind of religion that we are supposed to have, which is one that is in direct contrast to the type of religion that we encountered in our last study. It is this look at pure religion that will bring the first chapter of James' letter to a close and transition us into the second chapter. So, we will begin our look at pure religion by taking a look at today's Scripture passage, which is James 1:27.

James 1:27 (NASB95) - 27 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.

Just as a quick overview, I want to first recap what we found worthless religion to be. A worthless religion is one that is consumed with following religious traditions and rituals, seemingly doing everything that you're supposed to do, but not having the Spirit of Christ within you. This was stated to us by having an uncontrolled tongue because our mouth is the first thing that will surely tell of what's inside of us. So, to sum it up, a religion without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is worthless. That kind of religion is in direct contrast to what we find in James 1:27. Again, like verse 26, this verse is very plain in its language and ability for us to understand it, so let us begin with what's on the surface. If we want to know what pure religion is in the sight of God (and not man), then this verse gives us a very clear picture of what that is. Here, the example that we are given is that pure religion is comprised of visiting orphans and widows, while also abstaining from the ways of the world. In other words, we are to do good and help others out, especially those who are unable to help themselves.

Now, let us begin to break this verse down further by breaking it into three different parts. In the first part, we will take a more meaningful look at what "pure and undefiled religion" is; in the second part, we will see what part visiting orphans and widows has to do with anything; and finally, seeing what it means for us to keep ourselves unstained by the world.

When you first look at the phrase "pure and undefiled religion," you would start to think that James is using two words that are synonymous and redundant in order to describe the type of religion he's speaking of. I'll admit, that I didn't pay it much mind until I began to dig deeper into the passage, but it is a part that we need to pay very close attention to. You see, James was making a very important distinction here by using two very similar words in a redundant fashion; by doing this, in essence, he is saying that this is the most pure and uncontaminated kind of religion that you can have. In other words, this is perfect religion and what Christianity is supposed to look like. This isn't just a religion with good intentions or motives, but one that backs it up and does everything the way that it is supposed to be done, a religion where every aspect of it gives glory and honor to God. This is what James speaks of when he says "pure and undefiled religion."

Furthermore, James goes on to state that this "pure and undefiled religion" is exhibited when we visit the orphans and widows who are in distress. Why is this given to us as an example? In the majority of societies (I would think that just about all), the orphans and widows are some of the lowest people that you can run across because most are left unable to fend and care for themselves, as they have no one else to take care of them. Orphans have no parents to feed, clothe, love and care for them; and widows have no husband who is able to care for them. In most instances, these are the kinds of people that are able to give nothing in return other than a "thank you" and a warmhearted smile. It is pure religion for us to help these people because there is absolutely no selfish motive involved; there is absolutely nothing that these people are able to give us in return for our helping them. Part of what encompasses a worthless religion is always expecting to be compensated for your good deeds; whereas true Christianity involves doing good deeds simply because it is the right thing to do, without ever looking to get anything in return (knowing that you have a reward in heaven). So, if we are to hold to a pure Christianity, this is the kind of character that should be exhibited by us.

It does not end there though, as James makes a further point by stating that we should keep ourselves "unstained by the world." I won't spend much time here because it should be obvious to us what this entails. We know what the ways of the world are, and we know that we are admonished in Scripture to avoid being caught up in such things. This is simply James' reiteration of that same fact. As Christians, we cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the ways of the world by acting like they do, using the same kind of coarse language, having selfish motives, and so on. This is all part of what it means for us to have pure religion, the kind that Jesus Christ had; it means abstaining from sin and the very appearance of it.

That wraps up chapter one of James, and it is a very high note for us to end on, as we head into chapter two. I think it is very key for us to take to heart everything that we were shown in this chapter, especially the last two verses, which give us a very clear indication towards the type of religion that we are carrying. Today, take the time to examine your life and Christian walk and see if it is more along the lines of verse 26 (worthless religion) or verse 27 (pure religion). Whichever it is, ask the Lord to give you the strength to either move into pure religion or to remain in pure religion and make it purer. Until next time, I'm praying for you!