True Religion

Journey through James: 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.— James 1:27

Genuine religion is not about what we say; it is about how we live. James gives us very practical instructions as to what pure and undefiled religion is to God. First, it is visiting orphans and widows in their affliction. True religion is visiting those who are in need. Why did James single out widows and orphans? Are those the only groups we should visit and help? No, James mentions these groups because they are groups that are in need and groups that are present in every society. We are to help those in need, not because they deserve it or because it makes us feel better. We should help them because God graciously helped us. God set the example. This was true from when God first started giving instructions and laws to His people.

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.— Leviticus 19:33-34

Our basis for helping and serving others is not whether or not they are deserving. Our basis for helping is that God treated us with grace and kindness. Just as widows and orphans do not have the means to pay back those who help them in need, we cannot pay God back for what He has done for us. He sent His Son to die for us while were lost in our sins. He loved us first. He is our example. If we are to model true religion before Him, we need to follow His example. 

The other aspect of true religion is to keep ourselves unstained from the world. What does this mean? Should we all move out into the country and form our own little community apart from the world? No! Once again, Jesus is our example. James had a bird’s eye view of Jesus living in the world yet remaining unstained by it. We are to live in the world, but we should not be controlled by it. When people look at our lives, they should see that we are marked by Jesus, that His love compels us. We are not meant to live as slightly better versions of people who do not know Jesus as their Savior. We are to live as new creations. It is not easy to live unstained by the world; however, God is the one who empowers us to live for Him. He will give us the strength we need, but we also need to diligently follow Him. 

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.— 2 Peter 3:14

Jesus’ desire for us was that we would be in the world but not of the world, that we would live for Him amid a world that is opposed to His will. May we find joy and comfort in what Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all who would believe in Him as a result of their testimony about Him.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. — John 17:14-17