Is my religion useless, or pure before God?

James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

James now addresses the subject of "Pure Religion", ( religion here, means worship. ) He tells us two basic things about religion, or worship.

First, of all, a person can think they are religious, but if their tongue is not bridled, or controlled, then, their religion is useless, or empty, fruitless, vain, and they are deceiving their own heart. So, again, we have the issue of self deception, ( James 1:22-24 ) and the tongue which will be dealt with later in James. ( James 3 )

Thus, it's possible for a man to think ( have the opinion ) he is a worshipper of God, but be self- deceived, and one of the evidences of that deception would be a tongue that is not under control.

Secondly, James says, the true worshipper is marked or characterized by two things.

1. He visits the orphans and the widows in their need. That is, he is a person who reaches out to others in need, in a practical and meaningful way,

2. He keeps himself unspotted from the world. On a personal and moral level, he keeps himself unstained, or uncontaminated from the world. He is a man who is not walking in sin, and in the way of the world. He is not caught up in pride, self promotion, and living for material things rather then for God.

James does not pull any punches. He tells it like it is. Both the good and the bad if you will. Later, he will talk about how our works are really the test of our faith, those works reveal the genuineness, or the authenticity of our faith.

We can be of a certain opinion about ourselves, and our place before God, but, it's the way we live that really shows with accuracy who we are, and where we are in our walk with the Lord. The proof as they say is in the pudding. Our actions, speak louder then words.

The Lord has called us to be fruitful, and He wants to keep us pure and undefiled from the world. Let's pray for those things in our lives today. Lord, make us fruitful. You have appointed us to bear fruit, and that our fruit would be abundant and lasting. Thank You for Your Word, which tells us the truth about You and about ourselves. And, thank You Lord for not condemning us, but seeking to conform us into Your image.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. Are you encouraged by this passage?

2. What is the Lord saying to you from this passage?

3. Remember, God wants to help you, not condemn you.

4. In what practical ways is your faith showing itself?

5. The Lord will use you if you let Him.

6. Forgiveness and cleansing come from the Lord.

7. God will give guidance and power, and open doors for service.