When I was at high school in the 1970’s, I had a teacher from England who was concerned that the pristine rivers of New Zealand might in time become like the polluted rivers back in his homeland. So, with a couple of friends and a canoe, I decided to look at the water quality in our local river and search for sources of pollution. Really, we had no idea what we were doing but it seemed important. In those days it was easy to find runoff from businesses, leather works and factories. I didn’t know what the coloured water oozing from the drains was, but it was obviously polluting the river. If you were to think of your life as a river, and sin as pollution; is your life running clear as crystal or is there all sorts of muck floating along with you? In our reading today James writes, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
James confronts us with insights that are challenging. He begins with three ideas: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. This is sound advice for anyone. But James takes this further as he applies it to religion. James is speaking about religion not merely as system of belief, but a relationship with the Saviour where faith in God is properly applied to a way of life. He writes, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22) Pure religion requires us to put what we learn into action. Listening without application is a form of self-deception. The lessons of the bible are not a class on the theory of faith. Sadly, people can adhere to a form of religion without truly discovering its substance. Jesus explained it was not enough to call him Lord. He warned, if they didn’t obey God, he would state, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21–23) By contrast, James commended those who not only heard the gospel, but put it into action saying, “They will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:25)
James also wrote, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26) This is a stinging rebuke. Whenever we allow uncontrolled speech to flow from our lips our faith is proved worthless. James contrasts the worthless religion of those who do not apply their faith, with the pure religion God does accept. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) Widows and orphans were not just high on James’ list they are also high on God’s list. Moses spoke of God who, “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow.” (Deut 10:18) And echoes the words of Isaiah who commands us to “Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17) God clearly has a heart for all who are oppressed, particularly the fatherless and the widows. Care for vulnerable widows and orphans is a clear example of faith in action.
The second aspect of pure religion is to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. If you considered your life as a river and looked for the sources of sin that might pollute your life what would they be? James commands us to get rid of all moral filth from our lives. Active faith closes the pipelines of sin that seek to pollute us. The Psalmist helps us turn off the source of sin, How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Ps 119:9). James tells us to look intently into God’s word, continue in it and do it. He states those who follow this way … will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:25)
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, avoid moral pollution and put your faith into practice, then you will be blessed.
For reflection:
How might you practice active listening to God’s word?
Are there any sins polluting your life which you need to deal with?
What is one practical step you could take to apply God’s word to your life?
Rev John Malcolm
James also wrote, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26) This is a stinging rebuke. Whenever we allow uncontrolled speech to flow from our lips our faith is proved worthless. James contrasts the worthless religion of those who do not apply their faith, with the pure religion God does accept. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) Widows and orphans were not just high on James’ list they are also high on God’s list. Moses spoke of God who, “defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow.” (Deut 10:18) And echoes the words of Isaiah who commands us to “Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17) God clearly has a heart for all who are oppressed, particularly the fatherless and the widows. Care for vulnerable widows and orphans is a clear example of faith in action.
The second aspect of pure religion is to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. If you considered your life as a river and looked for the sources of sin that might pollute your life what would they be? James commands us to get rid of all moral filth from our lives. Active faith closes the pipelines of sin that seek to pollute us. The Psalmist helps us turn off the source of sin, How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (Ps 119:9). James tells us to look intently into God’s word, continue in it and do it. He states those who follow this way … will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:25)
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, avoid moral pollution and put your faith into practice, then you will be blessed.
For reflection:
How might you practice active listening to God’s word?
Are there any sins polluting your life which you need to deal with?
What is one practical step you could take to apply God’s word to your life?
Rev John Malcolm