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James 1:26-27
As we come to the end of chapter one of this letter written by James, the brother of Jesus, we see that he instructs us with words of humility; that “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26, NKJV). The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22 (HCSB), “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Proverbs 21:23 (NIV) proclaims, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
James then goes on to inform his hearers/readers of what “Pure and undefiled religion before God” is: “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27, NKJV).
This is a promise that one’s words need to be spoken carefully in keeping with the pure and forgiven life one lives in Christ Jesus.
This is an example of “Pure and undefiled religion before God” (James 1:27a).
My pastor and teacher who taught me the basic format of this daily devotional and encouraged me to begin sharing God’s word through this very Bible study that began as a email ministry, brought forth the question of, “Have you ever visited the orphanage and the widow’s home?, as this is described as ‘Pure and undefiled religion before God’ as is stated by James, the brother of Jesus.” The class remained silent as I believe most of us could not answer that question with a “yes.” I believe the point of the matter is to look out for the needs of others as is taught by Jesus in John 13:34-35 (ESV) which states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In having love for one another is also the things we speak; the things we say to one another. Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:35-37 (NKJV), “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” We have all spoken things that were hurtful of slandering of others, but as we strive to be pleasing with our lives to Jesus, His forgiveness covers all, that when we stand before God having strived to live as He has led us in salvation through Christ Jesus, whom He sent to save the world from sin, all that will be seen is the purity of Jesus and the forgiven life that we live through our faith in Him.
Dear LORD,
We will see in this Bible Study that James tells us in James 3:8 (NIV), “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” But the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Please help us to see that this is not a contradiction of Your word as we, in and of ourselves, cannot accomplish these things, but that it is only through the salvation and forgiveness of Jesus Christ living within us that makes it possible for us to live as You would have of us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.