Today’s Reading: James 1:22-27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 KJV
As true followers of Christ we have to make sure we are living according to the Word.
We are not to find ourselves pretending that we are.
Making false displays of affection towards others.
When we act this way, we are not being honest with ourselves.
We are living a fake life.
Appearing to be holy and sinless, while in our hearts, it is really something different.
The Word tells us, when men take more pains to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain.
In a letter that James sent to the Jewish Christians, he encouraged the church to care for the needy.
He wanted them to know that “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27 KJV).
He wanted believers to go beyond just listening to the Word and to put their beliefs into action (James 1:22-25 KJV).
The Lord wants us to have a humble and gracious heart.
To do everything as in the presence of God.
Without Christ truly in our lives, nothing we do will ever be enough.
Our faith in Him makes all things possible.
A faith that worketh by love.
One that always purifies the heart.
Making it possible for us to obey God’s commands.
True faith is not only the words we speak.
True faith should be seen in all our actions.
It will always help us defeat the sinful things of this world
We always want to respond in a positive way to those at risk in the church.
To be there for those in our communities.
A great ending for all.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we know that Your heart beats for the those who can be physically and emotionally wounded. For those that can be easily hurt or attacked. For those that are weak and unprotected. We know that as Christians, we are made in Your image. Therefore, we can exhibit the same type of love. Help us to show the same undying love to them as You have shown it to us. Thank You for letting us seize the opportunities to serve people in need.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen