PURE RELIGION!

PURE RELIGION!

James 1:27

27 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.

          We have just finished celebrating undeserved abundance by setting aside a day of Thanksgiving and are fast approaching the season of “comfort and joy!” Unfortunately there are many who are not comfortable and there is little joy. Our vast governmental relief system has not produced the utopia we were promised and Jesus was right when He said: “The poor ye have with you always!” (John 12:8) But citing the impossibility of relieving all suffering does not free us from relieving some suffering! I think it would be good to focus our attention on the verse above.

          The word “religion” is the Greek threskeia and refers to ceremonial observance. James’ point here is that we can be very pious but of no practical good. James even presumes to know that what he is about to offer as a lifestyle is “undefiled before God.” James is a master of sarcasm and wields it like a scalpel to remove separate presumptive acts from practical Christianity. James would probably agree that there are some who are so “heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.”

          The little word “visit” is the Greek episkeptomai and it basically means “to inspect.” Some think a pastoral visit is just a contrived way for ministers to appear busy. We roam around town sipping coffee and tea from house to house. In actuality a pastoral visit is a surprise inspection. Those being visited seem to know this and perhaps that is why they are so unpopular with some. James, however, recommends it not only for pastors but for all believers. If we want to be truly “religious” we will check up on each other and especially the orphans, widows, sick and elderly.

          The word “affliction” is the Greek thlipsis and means “pressure.” Orphans are pressured by the lack of adequate parenting. Widows and widowers are pressured by loneliness and the lack of companionship. I remember Tom Hanks, in the movie Castaway, who’s best friend on the island was a soccer ball. A Christian visit provides some relief from this pressure. Practical help through financial gifts understood.

          The best portions of a good man's life are his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

   William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Dear Father, give me thy heart. Let me often say: “I must needs go through Samaria.” AMEN