The Right Kind of "Religion"

Friday, January 3, 2025

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 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. James 1:26-27

The Right Kind of "Religion"

In James chapter 1 we find lots of good instruction on Christian living. Looking at James 1:27, we see James’ definition of what constitutes "pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God"- the kind of religion that will keep us close to our Heavenly Father.  To be sure that our own "religion" is acceptable before God, let's notice some attributes as indicatedin this verse and its immediate context.

Prior to this verse, James 1:22 & 25 say, (22) But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (25) But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.  James makes it clear that religion involves doing something, not just believing or professing something.

God did not intend for our religion to consist solely of "goingto church."  The word “deceives” is from a verb used in the New Testament only here and in Colossians 2:4.It means “to cheat or delude by false reasoning.”  The deception comes from thinking they have done all that is required just by attending church when listening to the Word is only the beginning. 

Extending our heart to God in worship is certainly important, but so is extending our hand to others in need!  Thus, the writer of Hebrews says, Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  (Hebrews 13:15-16)  Read these words from Titus 3:14: Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

James speaks about “deceiving ourselves”, a real danger to any believer.  This echoes the teachings of Jesus Himself – "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:21)

James becomes more specific still. What does it mean to keep on being doers of the word? Three areas of obedience are singled out by James: personal behavior, social concern, and inner values.  We must be careful with our words and show true compassion by visiting the poor and needy James also stresses the need for an inner attitude and value system distinct from that of the world in which we live.  We are to be set apart, inthe world but not ofthe world. 

Until we apply the Word of God by showing kindness and compassion for the poor and helpless, all the preaching, teaching, and studying we may do cannot make our religion "pure and undefiled"!  Putting feet to our faith can bring great purpose to our paths.  Is there someone God has laid on your heart? Maybe today you need to think about making a “visit” to someone in need and using our tongues to encourage them.  Our faith should come out in our actions.  Don’t ignore a gentle prodding from the Holy Spirit. By not being obedient, the one the Lord has placed on your heart will miss out but you also will miss out on what being a Christian is all about, and having your heart blessed in the process. 

Cleaning Out And Making Room

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today… Deuteronomy 8:11

Cleaning Out And Making Room

This time of year, a lot of us are thinking about what we would like to change in our lives to make our lives and ourselves better.  We want big changes, spectacular results, and showers of blessings, but not all are sold out to completely doing what they need to do to make this happen.  We expect the blessings to rain down but most of the time we are the obstacle to making our own lives better.

The story of the battle of Ai, that takes place in the book of Joshua in the Bible, can teach us a lot about how we can make some self-defeating choices in life.  Israel was seeing military victories, one after the other, just as the Lord had promised them.  However, after the battle of Jericho, one man, Achan, broke their agreement with God - And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.  Joshua 6:17.  Achan kept some of the loot from Jericho for himself, going against God’s agreement with them. God was the only one who knew that Achan had taken the things and buried them under his tent floor. Therefore, God judged them by not giving them the next victory, Ai.  Joshua did not understand and he cried out to God. God explained why they had not been given that victory.  Achan thought that he could ignore God’s conditions and still be blessed along with everyone else, but it didn’t turn out too good for him. Instead, no one got blessed because of him.  

Sometimes we do this same thing to ourselves. We pray and we wait, wondering what is taking God so long.  We want His blessings but we don’t want to follow His rules, or at least not ALL His rules.  Our disobedience will stop the work of God in our lives. Disobedience to God causes an obstacle between us and God and receiving His blessings. It brings judgement into our lives and trips us up so that we are thrown off track. Obedience will not necessarily earn us God’s favor.  He doesn’t play favorites or pick teacher’s pets.  But, it will certainly place us in a position to receive the blessings God has planned for us.  Achieving victory in our lives is easier than maintaining victory.  Disobedience and sin are deal breakers in our own personal covenant with God, and will keep victory at bay.  Why would we want to do that to ourselves?

Just like Israel, we often lose battles to our Ai.  Have you looked under your tent and seen what you have buried that you know God has said you should not have?  The things that we cling to that we know we should not have bring no lasting joy, only lasting guilt.  Maybe our new New Year’s resolution should be to not be our own worst enemy, to not, by our own hand, keep the blessings of God away with our disobedience. 

A Good Plan for A New Year

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.  He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14

A Good Plan for A New Year

Today we get to start another new year. While we cannot erase the past, we get to decide how we move forward. These verses from Colossians 1 prove to be a great application for us to apply to our lives as we begin again.

…be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:

Make it a priority to be filled with his knowledge and wisdom in spiritual understanding this year. Spend time with him every day in prayer and Bible study to deepen your understanding and relationship with him. 

 

…so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: 

When your understanding and relationship deepens with God the natural result will be walking worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him. Bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience will also be a natural result of a deeper and intentional relationship with him. 

 

…joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light:

Make it a point to joyfully give thanks to the Father in all things, in all circumstances, at all times. We can be thankful always because no matter what our circumstances are here on earth, we have been enabled to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. Our future as an heir to the King of Kings is secured no matter what. We will have hardships, illness, tragedy, but he promises that we can take heart because he has overcome it all. In him we can find comfort, peace, and security. Because of this we can always joyfully give thanks. 

 

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We have been rescued from the domain of darkness, been made a part of his kingdom, redeemed and forgiven. Our chains have been broken and we have been freed from the prison of darkness and sin. Live like it! Walk every day in the freedom, light, and inheritance he has given us. 

 

How will you choose to move forward into another new year? As you begin a new year today make these verses the guideline for your life. 

 

Happy New Year!