Study4B...Religion isn’t about what you say but about what you do and James defines for us what is the right thing to do. It is what he calls true or pure religion James wrote“ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world ” (James 1:27).
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Study 4B..True and pure religion
James 1:27
Another portion of living a life of pure religion would be keeping oneself unstained or unspotted by the world. What does it mean by unstained? Paul wrote to Timothy “ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ ” (1 Tim 6:13-14). The context of being unstained is staying free of things that would bring reproach upon a person. Of Christ it was said that “ it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Heb 7:26) so being unstained is refraining from becoming filthy in the sins of humanity. You can do all kinds of good for the widows and orphans but it if your life is stained by reproachful sins, then you cannot be practicing true religion.
2 . THREE MARKS OF TRUE RELIGION
John Bunyan said, ““The soul of religion is the practic part””, by which he meant that if a man is a real Christian he will live like a real Christian. He will show by his practice that he has true religion (verse 27). The three marks of true religion are:-
(1) A controlled tongue. In verse 26 the writer contrasts the true and the false. Follow his argument: he says that one of the first evidences that we have true religion, that we really are born again and know the Lord as our Saviour, is that our tongues are under control. If we do not keep them on a tight rein, where is the evidence that we really do belong to the Lord, that our hearts have been cleansed and that our soul has been saved? Remember that if you are a gossip, if you constantly use unkind, careless, hurtful words, your religion is false and worthless (Psalm 141:3). Only by being born again and by allowing the Holy Spirit to control your tongue can you show forth the mark of true religion.
(2) A compassionate heart. The words ““look after”” in verse 27 present us with the idea of ministry –- compare Luke 1:78; Acts 10:38. How does our religion show itself to the world? (Matthew 9:36). How does it show itself to other Christians? (Ephesians 4:32). Notice this carefully: James is not saying that we are saved by good works; he is saying that if we are saved, if we have true religion, we shall do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). If we are true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ we shall have hearts that are filled with compassion: compassion which will be expressed in good works. For some other examples of this in James’’ letter look up James 2:1-9; 2:14-17; 3:17-18; 4:11; 5:9; 5:16; 5:19-20.
(3) A consecrated life. The last part of verse 27 tells us this. God’’s will for us is that we should be set apart from all sin, from self, from Satan, from all that is contrary to His purpose for our lives, and that we should be devoted entirely to Him. What does it mean ““to keep oneself from being polluted by the world””? It means that everything we do has to be brought under this test: What does the Lord want me to do about this, and in this situation? What will glorify Him? What will help me to live a clean, wholesome, dedicated life? Read 2 Timothy 2:21.
What kind of religion is yours? What does God say about it? Is it false, or is it the true kind? As you conclude this study, look up Hebrews 4:13.
True religion means genuine religion and not just doing it to be seen by others. Love is a verb; it is what you do and not what you say. The last I heard was only about 40-45% of nursing home and assisted care living centers residents had visitors. That means more than 4 in 10 will not see any visitors and will most likely not see family or relatives until they die, alone. This is what true religion really is; acts of love and acts of service. Part of that service is visiting the orphans and widows in their pain.
What's your resolution?
God bless you..
For more package,visit our blog:segoeevangelism1992.blogspot.com and also you can click on the link attached.
For support and testimony: segoeevangelism1992@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook via;
https://mobile.facebook.com/segoeevangelism/
God bless you.
Endeavor to share...
@Livingwater
Study 4B..True and pure religion
James 1:27
Another portion of living a life of pure religion would be keeping oneself unstained or unspotted by the world. What does it mean by unstained? Paul wrote to Timothy “ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ ” (1 Tim 6:13-14). The context of being unstained is staying free of things that would bring reproach upon a person. Of Christ it was said that “ it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Heb 7:26) so being unstained is refraining from becoming filthy in the sins of humanity. You can do all kinds of good for the widows and orphans but it if your life is stained by reproachful sins, then you cannot be practicing true religion.
2 . THREE MARKS OF TRUE RELIGION
John Bunyan said, ““The soul of religion is the practic part””, by which he meant that if a man is a real Christian he will live like a real Christian. He will show by his practice that he has true religion (verse 27). The three marks of true religion are:-
(1) A controlled tongue. In verse 26 the writer contrasts the true and the false. Follow his argument: he says that one of the first evidences that we have true religion, that we really are born again and know the Lord as our Saviour, is that our tongues are under control. If we do not keep them on a tight rein, where is the evidence that we really do belong to the Lord, that our hearts have been cleansed and that our soul has been saved? Remember that if you are a gossip, if you constantly use unkind, careless, hurtful words, your religion is false and worthless (Psalm 141:3). Only by being born again and by allowing the Holy Spirit to control your tongue can you show forth the mark of true religion.
(2) A compassionate heart. The words ““look after”” in verse 27 present us with the idea of ministry –- compare Luke 1:78; Acts 10:38. How does our religion show itself to the world? (Matthew 9:36). How does it show itself to other Christians? (Ephesians 4:32). Notice this carefully: James is not saying that we are saved by good works; he is saying that if we are saved, if we have true religion, we shall do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). If we are true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ we shall have hearts that are filled with compassion: compassion which will be expressed in good works. For some other examples of this in James’’ letter look up James 2:1-9; 2:14-17; 3:17-18; 4:11; 5:9; 5:16; 5:19-20.
(3) A consecrated life. The last part of verse 27 tells us this. God’’s will for us is that we should be set apart from all sin, from self, from Satan, from all that is contrary to His purpose for our lives, and that we should be devoted entirely to Him. What does it mean ““to keep oneself from being polluted by the world””? It means that everything we do has to be brought under this test: What does the Lord want me to do about this, and in this situation? What will glorify Him? What will help me to live a clean, wholesome, dedicated life? Read 2 Timothy 2:21.
What kind of religion is yours? What does God say about it? Is it false, or is it the true kind? As you conclude this study, look up Hebrews 4:13.
True religion means genuine religion and not just doing it to be seen by others. Love is a verb; it is what you do and not what you say. The last I heard was only about 40-45% of nursing home and assisted care living centers residents had visitors. That means more than 4 in 10 will not see any visitors and will most likely not see family or relatives until they die, alone. This is what true religion really is; acts of love and acts of service. Part of that service is visiting the orphans and widows in their pain.
What's your resolution?
God bless you..
For more package,visit our blog:segoeevangelism1992.blogspot.com and also you can click on the link attached.
For support and testimony: segoeevangelism1992@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook via;
https://mobile.facebook.com/segoeevangelism/
God bless you.
Endeavor to share...
@Livingwater
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