True Religion

The term "religion" get tossed around so much that it almost makes you want to cringe. To be referred to as a religious person is as likely to be an insult as it is to be a compliment in today's world. Ungodly influence and unrepentant sin play a big part of this, yet those of us who claim the blood of Christ have done our fair share to make "religion" an unpleasant word.

Thankfully, we can count on Scripture to help us with true religion--the kind that honors God and represents Jesus well. James 1:26-27 says, If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 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. These verses give us three focus points. First, we must watch our words; which can damage our testimony faster than anything else. Twenty-six places in Scripture there is a connection between our words and our heart; making our words an often accurate representation of our true thoughts. Uncaring words that we speak can actually lead us to more ungodly thoughts; making us completely unfruitful for God's Kingdom.

Secondly, we must help those who are unable to help themselves. In James' time, widows and orphans were literally the bottom of society and their needs were routinely neglected. By ministering to the afflicted, our focus is drawn away from ourselves and toward others; a fulfillment of the Great Commandment (Mark 12:31). And finally, true religion recognizes and seeks God's Word as the ultimate and only source of absolute truth. To remained unstained from the world means to not allow worldly values and priorities to undermine our thoughts and our knowledge of the truth.

True religion allows us to makes sure that our thoughts, words and deeds---the sum of who we are---is pleasing in His sight. And a much better representation of God to others.