The Essence Of Pure Religion.

[Scott Hutchinson]

If anyone among you thinks he is religious,and 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.
JAMES.1:26,27 NKJV

Notice in these verses of scripture useless religion and pure and undefiled religion are mentioned.
Defiled religion is merely and external and decptive because it is based on merely on ritual and self seeking motives,rather than on a relationship with Christ, which goes from the inside to the outside.

Pure religion is not oppressive as it causes one to be concerned about others's welfare and to seek to relieve those such as widows and orphans in their afflictions and offer them hope and to seek to relieve them in their distress.

Deflied religion uses people for it own self seeking purposes.
Those in deflied religion use their tongue for destructive purposes,yet they justify their actions due to their external religious ritualism.

Pure religion causes one to seek to order their life according to kingdom principles rather than the order that those outside of faith govern their lifestyle by.

Pure religion seeks to glorify God and not self,thus causing one to glorify God with their body,when the spirit man is correct and modest the outer man will follow suit,because the grace of God teaches one to live responsible in this world.

[OneAccord]

Now this is a post that has MEAT. Its odd how James refers to a person with useless religion is one who does not bridle his tongue. He talks about pure and undefiled religion, but thats about it. He TALKS about visting the orpahns and widows and talks about keeping himself unspotted from the world. He TALKS.
Pure and undefiled religion is, as you said, words put into action. Pure and undefiled religion doen't talk about issues and problems within, but it works to solve those problems. Remember in the Book of Acts (Chapter 6) when the Grecians murmured and complained that the widows were being neglected? Well, that was useless religion talking. Instead of doing something about the problem, they just griped and complained. Pure religion, undefiled religion, didn't complain or murmur, it set about working to resolve the problem.

We spend alot of time murmuring that things just ain't right. Politics, standards, TVs... all the talk is useless. We should bridle our tongues, stop finding fault and do what we can to resolve the problems. Pure and undefiled religion is a part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Excellent thought, Brother. Need more like it!

[Scott Hutchinson]

Thank you as I have more thoughts,but I do wonder if folks here are interested in them though ?

[OneAccord]

Title the thread "NEWS FLASH" or "HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST". That'll get 'em running!

[Scott Hutchinson]

I wrote another one my friend.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Now this is a post that has MEAT. Its odd how James refers to a person with useless religion is one who does not bridle his tongue. He talks about pure and undefiled religion, but thats about it. He TALKS about visting the orpahns and widows and talks about keeping himself unspotted from the world. He TALKS.
Pure and undefiled religion is, as you said, words put into action. Pure and undefiled religion doen't talk about issues and problems within, but it works to solve those problems. Remember in the Book of Acts (Chapter 6) when the Grecians murmured and complained that the widows were being neglected? Well, that was useless religion talking. Instead of doing something about the problem, they just griped and complained. Pure religion, undefiled religion, didn't complain or murmur, it set about working to resolve the problem.

We spend alot of time murmuring that things just ain't right. Politics, standards, TVs... all the talk is useless. We should bridle our tongues, stop finding fault and do what we can to resolve the problems. Pure and undefiled religion is a part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Excellent thought, Brother. Need more like it!

Every notice what the qualifications for "waiting on tables" required and what became of those that humbled themselves to be servants to the widows? Hint: think Stoned Steve and Flying Phil.

[RevDWW]

James 2:14 - 26 (KJV) 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

True religion is Love in Action!

[Ferd]

good words brother Scott.

[ChurchMouse]

Now that's good stuff right there !!!

[HADDOCK]

AMEN