Michael Demory
The Lord’s brother James wrote, “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” (Jas. 1:27). The word religion comes from the Latin re and ligo, which means, “to bind back.”
Before man separated himself from God through transgression of the law (Gen. 3:23-24; Isa. 59:1-2), Jehovah established way to bind back mankind to Himself (Eph. 1:4-10). This binding back (religion) is today known as Christianity, and is the belief, obedience and practice of godliness and piety.
James defines pure binding back to God (religion) as visiting the fatherless and widows, and remaining unblemished from worldly pursuits. There is no doubt that the Scriptures teach us that pure religion is an ‘undefiled’ religion. This clearly contrasts the one God approved religion (way of being bound back) with false religion that binds men to Satan. God has never been pleased with the type of religion that acts with an impure heart (Matthew 5:8) or according to the traditions and doctrines of men (Matthew 15:9). The reason the Pharisees were criticized by our Lord was due to their hypocritical manner of religion (Matt. 23:13-33). All men are required by God to follow the same ‘undefiled’ religion that was purposed in His mind before the world was formed.
The majority of religions in the world today do not meet the criteria of being ‘undefiled.’ Because they make claims that they cannot fulfill (1 Cor. 15:13-15). Denominationalism mixes in the philosophies of men with parts of God’s religion that best suit them so that they seem authentic. Take for instance the rapidly growing Pentecostalism that is sweeping our nation and the world. This defiled religion attracts the emotional side of man, casting to the side common sense and rational thinking. It is a religion based solely upon personal comfort, self-gratification, and entertainment. But God’s religion has never been the type that allowed ‘ease.’ For this was the sin of the Israelites that caused their punishment.
Jehovah established His place of worship in Jerusalem and required the Jews to offer sacrifices there alone (Deut. 12:1-11; 1 Kgs. 8-9:3). But after the death of Solomon, Jeroboam offered the people a ‘comfort zone’ by which they could meet their obligation. If the people would make him king, he would change the place of worship by adding two additional cities, thereby easing their burden (1 Kings 12:28-32). Man’s philosophy today is no different. Instead of following God’s ways, men think they are smarter and can draw more men and women to God through a religion of convenience. Because the people continue to clamor for an easy religion, there will always be those who will oblige. Did not Felix tell Paul, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25)?
In James 1:26 the writer speaks of the type of individual who considers himself to be a religious person. He is the type that talks a good talk. He is able to ramble on about religious things and to convince others that he is a very religious man. But the sad thing about him is that he has deceived himself into believing that assembling with others is unimportant, or that God only cares that we are basically good people. Most denominations teach that the church and its worship are non essential to the religion of God. James says that such a man’s religion is ‘vain’ (empty, worthless). Our writer however goes even further to describe the type of man that has a vain religion—he is the type that cares for no one but himself (vs. 27).
He is not concerned about the needs of others. He is the type of person who has faith but no works (Jas. 2:14-17). Every true child of God will at all times be concerned about the souls of other men. This includes meeting their physical needs as well as the spiritual. The apostle John wrote, “whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteh up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:17-18). Benevolence is no doubt an indelible mark of ‘undefiled’ religion. Far too many believers are “hearers” only. They hear what the Scriptures have to say about salvation, about the one church, about living godly lives the rest of their days, but simply will not become ‘doers’ (Jas. 1:22).
The pure religion of God is the only way that all men can be bound back to their Creator. James gives us practical lessons that will help us to know exactly what is needed to be pleasing to God. Following only what the New Testament says, will only make us a Christian and one of the only Christians who obey and follow the pure religion of Christianity.
