Day 16: Pure and Spotless

 Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless.
You must help needy orphans and widows
and not let this world make you evil.
(James 1:27, CEV)

Reflection

Today’s feature verse from James stands in contrast to the previous verse:

If you think you are being religious, but can’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is useless. (James 1:26)

James is pointing out the difference between useless religion and the kind of active faith that God wants. Useless religion has an unbridled tongue. Instead of acts of kindness useless religion pours out words of contempt on those who are poor or suffering. Useless religion promotes hate rather than love.

Our entire belief system must be rooted in love. Why? Because Yahweh—the LORD—the great I AM is love. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8).

James provides us with two indicators of God-pleasing religion. The first indicator is really a restraint. A right faith is a love centered belief system. It will keep us from soiling ourselves in the filth of this world. God-pleasing religion will aim to keep us pure and spotless.

Peter concurs with this perspective:

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

But God-pleasing religion isn’t just a list of don’ts, or Thou shalt nots. A love centered belief system also calls us to action. It helps the needy, the orphans and widows, rather than condemning them. Holiness that offers no help is flagrant hypocrisy, since none are holy. (See Romans 3:10-20.)

In his earthly ministry, Jesus the sinless Son of God exemplified God-pleasing religion. He called all to repentance and holiness (Mark 1:14-15). But he also showed mercy and compassion to the outcast, the poor, and the suffering (Luke 17:11-19, Mark 10:46-52 & Matthew 9:20-22). True religion calls for both holiness and compassion, and it holds both in perfect tension.

James urges us to do the same.

Response

Father God, help me to embrace both holiness and compassion. The world wants to push me into its mold. Help me to resist temptations. Show me where and how I can best help others. Grant me a heart of compassion that puts others first. I thank you for the limitless compassion that Jesus has shown to me.  Amen.

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