True Christianity is a religion of the heart. While the outward actions matter, if the inside is not changed, the outward means nothing. Jesus capsulated this truth when He reminded the woman at Jacob’s well that true worship must be done in spirit and truth (John 4:24). “Truth,” which is the action of worship, meets with one’s “spirit,” which is the attitude of worship; they combine to please the Father and uplift the worshiper. This combination is seen in every aspect of the Christian life. What we do matters, but why we do it and how we do it matters as well. When the half-brother of Jesus picked up his inspired quill to write one of the most “practical” books on Christian living, he affirmed that “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27 NKJV). This classic verse on pure religion gives us the inspired details of how to truly live the Christian life that pleases God.
Firstly, pure religion involves looking up “…before God and the Father…” God must be the object and motivation for everything we do. Sometimes people will have a motivation to do “good things,” but God is absent in that drive, which makes their efforts vain. Christian “good works” are only good if God defines them as such. Paul made it abundantly clear when he penned, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). To do “all in the name of” means to do by the authority of Jesus. Spiritually, there is no good work or deed unless Jesus deems it to be such. To another group of Christians, Paul wrote it like this, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). God is only glorified if the action comes by His authority. Pure religion is looking up.
Secondly, pure religion involves looking out “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…” The word “visit” in the original text means to “look upon, to inspect, to examine with the eyes” (Thayer 242). It carries with it the idea of providing for. Pure religion is not self-centered. Christians are always seeking ways they may help and aid others, especially and in particular “orphans and widows.” God has always had a special place in His Divine heart for orphans and widows (Jeremiah 49:11; Isaiah 1:17; Psalm 68:5; 146:9). If our Father cares for them, should His children not care for them as well? We live in a society of “me,” “I” and “myself,” but those practicing pure religion cannot live to “self.” Jesus declared that following Him requires us to “…deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The Holy Spirit guided Paul to write, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). The Spirit used Jesus as the ultimate example of “looking out” for others in the verses that follow (Philippians 2:5ff). Pure religion is looking out.
Thirdly, pure religion involves looking in “and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Sanctification and holiness begin in the heart. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). In a world filled with the filth of sin around every corner, it requires a diligent effort to keep oneself unspotted. Paul emphasized the need for purity when he penned, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). The impurities of this world can rub off on the Christian so easily that it behooves us to diligently and daily check our thoughts and our meditations. The Psalmist knew the recipe for holiness and solid footing in this world of sin. “The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip” (Psalm 37:31). Thinking right is a necessity for the one who is trying to live a daily life of pure religion (Philippians 4:8).
The externals of Christianity do matter, but not to the neglect of the internals. Purity of heart is a requirement if we are to ever see God (Matthew 5:8). How pure is your religion? How pure is mine? Like water, if my religion were to be poured into a glass, would I be willing to take a drink? Is it really pure or a bit cloudy? Are there some hidden contaminants therein? Let’s examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and make sure our religion is truly pure in the eyes of Almighty God!
