Daily Living

“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 KJV

“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world”. James 1:27 The Message

Pure (katharos): Clean, clear, and genuine, without any hidden motives or mixed quality.

Undefiled (amiantos): Free from stains, dirt, or outside corruption; untouched by evil or sin.

The Greek word for “visit” in James 1:27 is episkeptomai (ἐπισκέπτομαι), which means to look upon with helpful interest or to provide relief to those in need. It means much more than a casual social call or drop-in visit. It implies going with a supportive purpose, taking personal responsibility, and actively stepping in to help someone facing hardship or distress.

Every follower of Jesus should take the time to dive deep into this verse.  Jesus is giving you what He considers the best way to live your life before God the Father.  It is a very simple verse yet deep in its meaning and deep in what it is not saying.

In its very simplistic meaning it is telling you that God considers the best way to show that you are a son or daughter of Him, is to always put others before yourself and to keep yourself from being corrupted by the world and its ways.  I like the NIV version of this verse where it states, “keep oneself from being polluted by the world”.

You couple this verse with the verse in the gospel of John and you have God’s idea how you should live each day.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV.

Pure and True Religion is Action!

Action over ritual: True religion is not just about attending services, obeying a set of doctrines, obeying the commandments, or having knowledge of scripture. It requires agape love and daily acts of mercy.

It is putting your Love for God, your scripture reading, your heart filled with the Spirit, into your daily walk here on this earth.

It is a purposeful and dedicated way of living in a world that is more corrupt each day.  I purposefully must show Agape love, and I purposefully have to stop doing anything that may let the corruption of the world into my mind and heart.

It is not an accidental way of living!  It is a deliberate, intentional, determined walk each day with God.

A lot of very strong and true Christians, who have kept all the commandments and have been a faithful follower of Jesus, will hear His voice at the second coming say to them, “I never knew you”. 

They never let the words of Jesus change their hearts. They were perfect on the outside but inside they still wanted control.

Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

Prayers and Love for All.

Larry