October 24, 2011
James 1:27
Pure religion, and undefiled before GOD and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
PURE RELIGION
"Pure" means, without spot or wrinkle; not tainted by foreign substances. "Religion" means, "an organized system of beliefs and rituals centering on a supernatural being." What would it look like if our "organized system of beliefs and rituals" centered in JESUS was "pure" without spot or wrinkle and without the taint of foreign substances. It would be an organized system of belief in JESUS Christ; His ways, His belief, His hope, His faith and His love.
How do we find such a pure religion? We find it when we find Him. How do we find Him? by the Holy Scripture and by prayer. Is pure Religion only for the individual who seeks and finds? The answer is in this verse: "pure religion and undefiled before GOD and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world".
The evidence of the true believer in JESUS Christ is that they are givers. They give to those in need and do not count the cost. They give in the same manner that JESUS gave, 100% in love. When we see this kind of giving to others, we see a pure religion in action. It is not the outside signs on the lawn of the local Church; it is the inward sign of GOD'S love manifest in acts of mercy.
I was asked to what religion I belonged. I said, "the religion whose foundation is JESUS Christ the LORD, the Father's gracious gift of Atonement." What do you believe? " I believe in GOD the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth and in JESUS Christ the LORD, who was born, suffered, died, fulfilled the promise to those who had died, rose again, ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of the Father, and who will come again. I believe in the Holy Spirit, sent from GOD, who reveals the wisdom of GOD through Holy Scripture and brings all things into remembrance that JESUS taught. I believe that the Holy Scripture is the inspired Word of GOD. I believe that we are to love unconditionally, as JESUS loved, and serve unconditionally as JESUS served.
James 1:27
Pure religion, and undefiled before GOD and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
PURE RELIGION
"Pure" means, without spot or wrinkle; not tainted by foreign substances. "Religion" means, "an organized system of beliefs and rituals centering on a supernatural being." What would it look like if our "organized system of beliefs and rituals" centered in JESUS was "pure" without spot or wrinkle and without the taint of foreign substances. It would be an organized system of belief in JESUS Christ; His ways, His belief, His hope, His faith and His love.
How do we find such a pure religion? We find it when we find Him. How do we find Him? by the Holy Scripture and by prayer. Is pure Religion only for the individual who seeks and finds? The answer is in this verse: "pure religion and undefiled before GOD and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world".
The evidence of the true believer in JESUS Christ is that they are givers. They give to those in need and do not count the cost. They give in the same manner that JESUS gave, 100% in love. When we see this kind of giving to others, we see a pure religion in action. It is not the outside signs on the lawn of the local Church; it is the inward sign of GOD'S love manifest in acts of mercy.
I was asked to what religion I belonged. I said, "the religion whose foundation is JESUS Christ the LORD, the Father's gracious gift of Atonement." What do you believe? " I believe in GOD the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth and in JESUS Christ the LORD, who was born, suffered, died, fulfilled the promise to those who had died, rose again, ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of the Father, and who will come again. I believe in the Holy Spirit, sent from GOD, who reveals the wisdom of GOD through Holy Scripture and brings all things into remembrance that JESUS taught. I believe that the Holy Scripture is the inspired Word of GOD. I believe that we are to love unconditionally, as JESUS loved, and serve unconditionally as JESUS served.
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