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Pure and Undefiled Religion

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: James 1:26-27

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STUDIES IN JAMES (9)

Tonight, we continue our study through the book of James, a general letter filled with practical application.  Thus far we addressed: Dealing with trials and temptations, humility, our need to LISTEN and be slow to speak, and the importance of meekly receiving God’s implanted word.  In vs. 25 James noted, But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. His emphasis was a need to not just KNOW the word of God, but also to LIVE it.  In our text this evening, we want to notice some applications of that principle.

1. Our “religion”
   1. The word religion can mean at least 3 different things: 1) Our private, devotional relationship to God; 2) A community experience (e.g., the local church); 3) One’s stance in the world – living as God directs us showing kindness to our neighbors, moral and ethical boundaries, etc. All 3 ought to be reflected in our lives as Christians.  Furthermore, religion here is more than a concept (an idea) OR a set of doctrinal beliefs (which are important), but rather it is a force that governs our lives – what we say, how we act and how we treat others.
   2. Our religion means that we openly are devoted to serving God and Jesus.
   3. We can deceive ourselves as to our religion – it matters what we believe and how we live.
      1. Revelation 3:17 – of Laodicea the Lord noted they said they were rich and in need of nothing, but they were lying to themselves; Matthew 23:25-28 – appearing beautiful outwardly, but inwardly they were corrupt; James 1:22 – when we are hearers only; 1 John 1:8 – if we say we have no sin… 1 Corinthians 15:33 – when we associate with even company thinking it will not affect us.
      2. There are many deceptive doctrines that promote this – OSAS, direct HS guidance, sincerity – motives trump more, etc. We can lie to ourselves (and genuinely believe it) that we are ok, when in reality we are not.
   4. Our religion must be pure and undefiled –
      1. To be pure means to be unpolluted. This is the same word found in Matthew 5:8 – the pure in heart, 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  ALSO note Titus 1:15, To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  Our faith and religion needs to be genuine and not watered down.
      2. Undefiled means to be without blemish or unstained. Under the LOM, when sacrifices were made, they could not be damaged or leftovers.  The meaning of the word is repetitive, but in the negative.  Vincent Word Studies says, “the two adjectives, pure and undefiled, present the positive and negative sides of purity.”
      3. The point of this expression, our religion before God needs to be real and genuine. He will accept nothing less.
   5. We should not reduce our religion to mere ritual – the point James is making. This was a concern in Israel – Micah 6:6-8, With what shall I come before the LORD, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
   6. Never forget that our religion is “before God and the Father.” Some versions insert the word “our” between before and God.  Clearly, our text is attributing both to our heavenly Father.
2. Bridling the tongue –
   1. The tongue is an indicator of one’s heart.
      1. James 3:1-12 will develop this in greater detail. But notice vs. 2 & 6, For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body… And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
      2. Proverbs 10:19, In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
      3. So often, our words portray who we really are – Matthew 15:18-20 – Jesus notes that what proceeds out of the mouth defiles a man.
   2. Notice the word “bridle”. It describes a bit in a horse’s mouth that turns his whole body.  Here, it is a verb meaning to bring our tongues under control.  The one who fails to bridle his tongue AND professes to be religious (faithful to God) is lying to himself as already noted.
   3. To God, His religion is vain or empty. 1 John 3:18 – My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
   4. In what ways do we bridle the tongue? Here are a few: 1) No profanity; 2) We do not lie: 3) We do not gossip; 4) We do not speak too much, especially when we need to be silent; 5) We do not insult and belittle; 6) We do not curse others; 7) We do speak rashly, especially while angry; 8) We do not use God’s name in vain; 9) We do not speak pridefully; 10) We DO speak when we need to.  Silence CAN be a sin!
3. Helping the needy –
4. 1. James described visiting orphans and widows as “pure and undefiled religion”. As Christians we are called upon to help those in need.  The idea of “visit’ is to attend to their needs.
   2. God has always been concerned with the marginalized in society. It was commanded under the old law.  Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Leviticus 25:35-38, etc.   When they harvested crops, they were to leave the corners and that which fell to the ground for the poor.   Their failures as God’s nation was one of the causes of their downfall and captivities.
   3. It is also emphasized in the New Testament. Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in this – Matthew 23:14 – they devoured widows houses.  Acts 20:35 – Paul recalls the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 1 John 3:17, Hebrews 13:16 – do good and share – God is pleased with such sacrifices; Titus 2:14 – we are to be a people zealous for good works.  Matthew 25:31-46 – when we stand before God in judgment, how we treated others WILL be a factor.
   4. In a LIMITED capacity, the church can help the needy – saints only. 1 Timothy 5:16, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8-9.
   5. NOTE: This passage is clearly addressed to individuals and not the collective body (local or parachurch organization). As you read through the text you will notice how many times singular pronouns are used – Read it again, 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. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.  This is important as the text is sometimes used as a proof text to extend the work of the church beyond prescribed boundaries.
5. Keep yourself unspotted from the world –
6. 1. If we are to be faithful, we must avoid becoming like the world.
   2. 1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, etc. Clearly, “the world” here is a reference to the ways of man that stand in contrast to God’s ways.
   3. The premise of being a disciple is to be “other worldly.” Later in this letter James will contrast the wisdom of this world with the wisdom from above (of God) – James 3:13-18.  NOTE: This does not mean we isolate ourselves, but we do tread lightly as foreigners.
   4. Sadly, far too many have sought to bring the world into “religion” by accepting various immoral practices, redefining scripture, failing to discipline, emphasizing material prosperity, etc. This is true both as a collective AND as individuals.

In these verses, James has given some very practical direction.  The things we have addressed will help us to become more like our Lord and less like the world we are living in.  But there will be more!  But until then, let us examine ourselves.  Is your religion pure and undefiled?  Think about it.