Faith Loves
Defining True Religion
Beyond "Relationship, Not Religion": James uses the Greek word Threskeia for "religion" in verses 26 and 27, affirming that true religion does exist. While a phrase like "I don't have a religion, I have a relationship" can come from good intentions, it can also be a sinful justification for avoiding biblical demands. James would challenge this notion.
Pure and Undefiled (Clean): These terms, traditionally used for the ritual duties of Old Testament priests, are now applied by James to define a new standard for true religion.
A New Covenant, a New High Priest: In the New Covenant, we have a fulfilled religion that is pure and unstained because of our New High Priest, Jesus Christ. He, the unblemished Lamb, took upon Himself the ritual duties of the priest and the sacrificial lamb, becoming the "true religion" for us.
Religion Through the Blood of Jesus: Our true religion is pure and undefiled not because of our own merit, but because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. Therefore, our religious devotion — how we morally carry ourselves — matters deeply.
Life Application: This week, examine your understanding of "religion." Does it align with James's definition of "pure and undefiled" through Christ, or have you inadvertently "softened" it to fit your preferences? In what ways does your daily moral conduct reflect the "religion that runs through the blood of Jesus"?
The Three Marks of an Acceptable Religion (A Faith That Loves)
Mark 1: Controlling Our Speech
James 1:26: "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless."
This verse harkens back to James 1:19, emphasizing being "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
Bridle Analogy: A "bridle" controls a horse. James compares the tongue to a powerful, wild horse that, if not harnessed by the Spirit (the Rider), will "gallop into the wild." Religious people with "galloping tongues" live in perpetual self-deception.
Worthless Religion: We can appear religious through church attendance, Bible knowledge, prayer, and tithing, but if our tongue is out of control, James declares our religion worthless. A faith that loves actively seeks to control its tongue.
Heart Condition: Jesus states in Matthew 12:33-34 that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." What we say and how we speak directly reflect the condition of our heart and the true nature of our religion. Unhappy, toxic words often stem from an unhappy heart, leading to lives that no one, including ourselves, wants to be around.
While we all fall into the sin of an unbridled tongue, if it's a habitual character trait, it reveals a serious problem. True religion, flowing through the blood of Jesus, empowers us to control our tongue.
Life Application: This week, pay close attention to your words. Do they reflect the "true religion" of Christ or reveal an "unbridled tongue"? When tempted to speak impulsively or negatively, pause and ask the Holy Spirit to bridle your tongue. Consider how your speech impacts those around you and what changes you need to make for your words to bring glory to God.
Mark 2: Sacrificial Care for the Vulnerable and Needy
James 1:27a: "...to visit orphans and widows in their affliction..."
Vulnerable in Society: Orphans and widows were, and often still are, among the most helpless people, facing desperate needs for food and clothing due to their affliction.
"To Visit" Implies Active Care: "Visit" doesn't mean merely acknowledging their existence from a distance. It implies "going to them in order to care for them." We cannot simply wait for them to come to us or ask for help.
God's Example: God Himself "visits" His people – He doesn't wait for us; He comes to us (Luke 1:68, Luke 7:16). When God visits, He helps, strengthens, and encourages. He saw Hagar in her affliction (El-Roi – God Sees).
True Religion Follows God's Example: Just as the God of the universe humbled Himself to visit the needy, the heavy-burdened, and the downcast, a true religion that flows through the blood of Jesus will do the same.
Overcoming Self-Focus: Often, we are so focused on ourselves and our busy schedules that we fail to see the immense need around us. Our self-love can overshadow our care for others. If our schedule or status becomes so important that we cannot reach down and serve others, there is something fundamentally wrong with our religion. We must be selfless, reflecting God's heart as a Father to the fatherless. A faith that loves is a faith that actively visits and serves.
Life Application: Look for tangible ways this week to "visit" someone in their affliction – not just with words, but with practical care. Challenge your schedule: what can you intentionally prioritize to make room for selfless service to others?
Mark 3: Separating Themselves from the Ways of the World
James 1:27b: "...and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
Fallen Worldly Systems: James refers to "the world" multiple times, consistently pointing to fallen worldly systems that operate contrary to God's ways. A common trait of these systems is favoritism.
The World's Tendency for Favoritism: Favoritism is ingrained in humanity; we are drawn to those who we believe can benefit us most, whether based on looks, intellect, status (rich or poor), or even oppression based on religion or race. This is part of the fallen worldly system.
Favoritism in the Church: Favoritism is a common way the church slides into worldliness. James challenges this in James 2:1-4, where he condemns showing partiality to the rich over the poor.
Faith and Favoritism are Incompatible: True faith and favoritism are completely incompatible. Our religion runs through the blood of Jesus, not through fallen worldly systems that value people based on superficial or self-serving criteria.
Life Application: Examine your own attitudes and interactions this week. Do you show favoritism based on someone's wealth, status, appearance, or any other worldly measure? How can you intentionally combat the ingrained tendency for partiality in your own life and in the church, ensuring that every person is treated with equal dignity and love, regardless of their earthly standing?
It doesn't matter what we profess if we cannot do these things. Our religion, our faith, is not acceptable before God, for true faith always expresses itself through genuine love.
