Posted on 05/18/2024 9:52:08 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
In James 1:27, the apostle James gives us insight into what pleases God: “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” (NASB). The word for “undefiled” is translated “faultless” in the NIV.
When interpreting any verse in the Bible, including James 1:27, we should always look at its context to get an idea of what the verse means within the surrounding verses. In this case, we can look at what comes immediately before James 1:27 and get some idea of what is going on in this particular passage. Verse 26 says, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” So, in these final two verses of James 1, we have a contrast between what makes religion “worthless” and what makes religion “acceptable” to God.
Here it would be good to define the word religion. By “religion,” James means the external evidence of inward piety; that is, worship as expressed in ritual acts.
In the “worthless” religion, it doesn’t seem to matter what rituals or pious acts the worshiper engages in—it is all negated by an out-of-control tongue. A man may go through all the external motions of Christianity, yet if he tells lies or speaks unkindly or gossips or slanders or profanes God’s name, then his religion is empty. Everyone around him will see it, but he himself remains self-deceived. “By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
The implied contrast in the “pure and undefiled” religion that pleases God is that the worshiper keeps his tongue under control. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies” (Psalm 34:12–13). But James goes beyond just tongue control and gives examples of the religious acts God is looking for. One is outward-focused: “Look after orphans and widows in their distress.” The other is inward-focused: “Keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). Holy living, coupled with service to others, is the key. Or, as Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31).
“Pure and undefiled religion” happens when believers take care of the less fortunate and strive for personal purity. The right kind of religious practice involves helping those who cannot help themselves (and who cannot pay you back). As Jesus taught, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13–14). The right kind of religious practice also requires a personal commitment to growing in Christian virtue (see 2 Peter 1:5–8).
The apostle Paul also wrote about pure and undefiled religion, i.e., the actions of those who wish to please the Lord: “If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” (1 Timothy 5:4). Taking care of one’s family is a proper religious practice.
Looking after widows and orphans and keeping oneself “unspotted” from the world (KJV) are just two practical examples of what the Christian might do who desires to please God in his or her religion. James is not trying to create an exhaustive description of what religious practice must include. He is most likely highlighting some areas of concern among the believers to whom he was writing. But the result—pure and undefiled religion—is what believers of all eras should have as their goal.
“What is pure and undefiled religion?”
Someone simply getting down on their knees and accepting God and Christ into their heart.
“Someone simply getting down on their knees and accepting God and Christ into their heart.”
This is still completely defiled if they promote wickedness all their lives
“This is still completely defiled if they promote wickedness all their lives.”
If the person is truly repentant and accepts Christ into their heart, and asks for salvation, they will not promote wickedness in their life. The Holy Spirit will send conviction to the Christian heart that does promote wickedness.
—> Someone simply getting down on their knees and accepting God and Christ into their heart.
And if they do this, there should start to be evidence of a family resemblance.
Thank you, I’m so glad you shared this. My mouth is one of my top 3 I need to get into righteousness. But I’m doing better. Just 2 days ago I stopped myself posting a nasty comment about a person, and I confessed to someone that on another matter I was feeling bitter or suspicious. It was concerning an act of giving and I felt better after talking it out and praying over it.
But yes, we’re warned over and over about our tongues. Thank you for a very good post about it.
Mine.
Dr. Willie Parker, a prominent abortion provider who identifies as a Christian. He has written and spoken extensively about how his faith informs his work. Dr. Parker believes that providing abortions is consistent with his Christian beliefs and often speaks about the importance of following the teachings of Jesus in terms of compassion and care for women.
Here are some quotes from Dr. Willie Parker regarding his faith and the importance of accepting Jesus:
1. “My work is motivated by the compassion that I believe Jesus Christ represents.”
2. “As a Christian, I believe that we are called to serve the ‘least of these,’ and I see women in need of abortion care as among the ‘least of these.’”
3. “Accepting Jesus into my heart means committing to the wellbeing of others, especially those who are marginalized and in need.”
Dr. Parker’s perspective is that his faith and his work are deeply intertwined, and he views his role as an abortion provider as a fulfillment of his Christian duty to care for others.
“I believe that the Holy Spirit guides me in my work, giving me the strength and compassion to help women in need. The Spirit calls us to love and serve others, and through that calling, I find my purpose as a physician.”
This quote captures Dr. Parker’s belief that the Holy Spirit is a guiding force in his commitment to providing compassionate care.
Someone simply getting down on their knees and accepting God and Christ into their heart.
2 posted on 5/18/2024, 12:54:04 PM by MeganC (Ruzzians aren't people. )
No. Religion means rebinding. It’s a process of rebinding to God.
Shamanism as practiced by pre-literate people.
This is how religion was practiced for the first million years.
Once priestcraft, heirarchies of ‘enlightenment’ through institution, and worship of the male ego as an idealized ‘god’ image entered the picture, it was all downhill from there.
But to the topic of the thread topic, its an interesting juxtaposition of claiming to accept God into one's heart, then turning right around and labeling a group of people as "not human".
“Those weren’t my words, but the post I was responding to.
But to the topic of the thread topic, its an interesting juxtaposition of claiming to accept God into one’s heart, then turning right around and labeling a group of people as “not human”.
My thoughts exactly. I have screenshot that comment plus the tag line and will share it as a meme. It couldn’t be a more perfect example.
I do not attribute ANY degree of humanity to those monsters.
And apparently it extends beyond Russians:
It’s almost a hallmark of you mutts.
Dr. Parker is fooling himself, maybe a few others. He is not fooling God.
I guess I didn’t need to share the post about Dr. Parker. There was already an excellent example right before my eyes.
The Way
FRiend, consider cutting back on the DMT.
Apostle Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. He was given a mystery not known before his time. It was the gospel of grace which is given in his scriptures that we are justified by faith not of works. All the other scriptures were given to Jews. Paul wrote to saved Gentiles.
Doesn't that explain it.
Identifies as...
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