by Scott Cain
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Pure and undefiled religion is the goal of
every fervent and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. James’ summary description of religion as
authorized by God divides the Christian’s responsibility into two categories:
compassion and cleanliness. God does not
present Christians with the option of practicing pure or undefiled religion, but with the obligation and
opportunity to practice pure and
undefiled religion. The Christian who
fails to practice both compassion and cleanliness has failed to practice pure
and undefiled religion.
Consider
the cleanliness that God
desires. This is the “undefiled” aspect
of pure and undefiled religion. God’s
people are to remain unspotted from the world’s influences (James 1:27). Of course, this truth runs directly contrary
to the world’s social philosophies as well as the prevailing belief of many who
claim to be Christians. God’s Word,
however, remains firm. Christ’s
followers hold to God’s standards, not the world’s (I John 2:15-16; James 4:4).
As such, true Christians strive to keep the world’s corrupting influence out of
their worship (John 4:24; Matthew 15:9).
True Christians avoid sin by striving to keep the world’s corrupting
influence out of their hearts, minds, and lives (Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 4:23;
Psalm 119:11). For true Christians,
God’s Word is their source of instruction (II Timothy 3:16-17), not their
family’s opinions, societies preferences, or personal emotions and
feelings.
Consider
the compassion that God desires. This is the “pure” aspect of pure and
undefiled religion. God’s people are to
“visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction” (James 1:27). The
meaning of the word translated “visit” goes beyond merely the idea of going to
see someone (although this idea is certainly included). The word indicates a bringing of relief. Christians are to “Rejoice with them that do
rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15). True Christians fulfill the law of Christ by
bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
True Christians help as much as possible when they see others in need,
especially when the one in need is a fellow child of God (I John 3:17;
Galatians 6:10).
This
truth can be applied in numerous ways, but consider the simplest description as
James gave it: “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” Often the greatest affliction for such people
is loneliness. Receiving cards is
uplifting, receiving cash is helpful, but receiving company is the real visit
that such souls need. What if the tables
were turned? What Christian man wants to
spend his days sitting in an assisted living facility wondering why his old
friends from the congregation never come see him? What Christian woman wants to stare out the
windows of her room and her soul and watch what is left of her life pass her by
without a warm visit from her dear Christian friends? A congregation that does this to its members
is missing something: the love of God. “But
whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up
his bowels of compassion
from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17).
No
right-thinking soul wants to stand before Christ in judgment and say, “Lord, I
served you with pure religion, but I could not keep it undefiled”? Jesus’ answer to all who do the world’s will
instead of the Father’s will is, “…I
never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23). The same destination awaits a soul that would
stand before Jesus and say, “Lord, I served you with undefiled religion, but I
just didn’t have time to show compassion.”
To those who fail to practice compassion, Jesus says, “…Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41-45)
Brethren,
let us practice both pure and undefiled
religion.
Scott's Bio: Scott and his wife Melissa have
been married for ten They have three sons: Walker, Tanner, & Hunter. Scott started preaching regularly in 2005 in
Crossville, TN. Since then he has worked with congregations in Tennessee,
Arkansas, Mississippi, & Louisiana. He has been with the DeGaulle Drive
Church of Christ in New Orleans since 2009.
Scott is a 2009 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching.
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