JAMES 1:26-27

FAITH WORKS RELIGIOUSLY

FAITH WORKS #7

 

Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people.  It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society's own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender. ...  A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), Holwick’s Illustrations

 

In the book “Gaily The Troubadour,” published in 1936, Arthur Guiterman wrote the following poem. Reading his observations, you wouldn’t guess it was written nearly (seventy) years ago.

 

First dentistry was painless;
Then bicycles were chainless
And carriages were horseless
And many laws, enforceless.

 

Next, cookery was fireless,
Telegraphy was wireless,
Cigars were nicotineless
And coffee, caffeinless.

 

Soon oranges were seedless,
The putting green was weedless,
The college boy hatless,
The proper diet, fatless.

 

Now motor roads are dustless,
The latest steel is rustless,
Our tennis courts are sodless,
Our new religions, godless.

Source unknown, http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=1249

 

 

 

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 2

 

When in comes to belief in God, Canada’s young people are a lot like their elders, but they view religion as relatively unimportant, according to a federally sponsored study conducted by two experienced observers of Canadian social trends. Entitled Canada’s Youth: Ready for Today, the study was authored by Alberta sociologist Reginald Bibby and Ontario youth consultant Donald Posterski. The finding showed that 84 percent of the young people surveyed believe in God and 81 percent in the divinity of Jesus. Those figures are almost identical to previous Canadian statistics relating to the overall population. Over 80 percent of those surveyed said they would want a religious funeral or wedding; about 75 percent would involve a minister, priest, or rabbi in a birth-related rite. Only one in ten, however, indicated that God has “a great deal” of influence on how they live. Further, only one in 200 said they look to a religious leader for counsel or assistance.  Christianity Today, February 3, 1989, pp. 52-53, http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=1250

 

In many ways religion is in trouble today.  Most young people don’t have time for it.  Older adults often misunderstand it.  The church often doesn’t seem to be relevant.

 

Religion in some ways is rightly in trouble, because much religion is useless.  The only valuable religion is pure religion.  Pure religion is an outgrowth of true faith.  Truly religious people are people of faith.

 

First one becomes saved, second the saved person comes to pure religion. He becomes truly religious.

Pure religion is a result of being a changed person.

 

Galatians 6:14-15 - But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 3

 

 [15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

We have been studying the Book of James.  The theme of James is that Faith Works.  Last week we saw that faith works obediently.

OBEDIENCE IS COMMANDED – Vs. 22a

DISOBEDIENCE IS CONDEMNED – Vss. 22b-24

OBEDIENCE IS COMMENDED – Vs. 25   

 

Tonight we see that Faith Works religiously.  The right kind of religion is contrasted with the wrong kind of religion in verses 26-27.

 

POOR RELIGION IS VAIN – Vs. 26

PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE – Vs. 27   

 

POOR RELIGION IS VAIN – Vs. 26

 

James 1:26 - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

 

Speaking of the word “religious” as found in this verse, D. Edmond Hiebert says, “The term denotes the zealous and diligent performance of the outward and ceremonial aspects of worship.” D. Edmond Hiebert, James, Tests of a Living Faith, (Chicago, Moody Press, 1979), p. 139

 

There are many people who appear religious.

They “seem to be religious” in their own eyes.  They count themselves as religious people.

Jesus warned about these “religious” people in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6.

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 4

 

Matthew 6:1 - Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

 

Matthew 6:5 - And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

 

Matthew 6:16 - Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

 

The religious people James is talking about:

Say their prayers religiously.

Give to the church religiously.

Speak for God religiously.

Read their Bibles, religiously.

Outwardly they seem to be pious and devout, except when they open their mouths!

 

R. Kent Hughes - “A preacher with hammer in hand, doing some work on a church work day, noticed that one of the men seemed to be following him around.  Finally the preacher asked why. The man answered, ‘I’m just listening to hear what you say when you hit your thumb.’ His curious parishioner understood that would be the existential moment of truth. The same could be said of the domestic stresses of the home, where the mouth unfailingly trumpets one’s essence.” R. Kent Hughes, James, Faith That Works (Wheaton Illinois, Crossway Books) pp. 80-81

Ephesians 4:25 - Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 5

 

Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

 

A man’s tongue is an indicator of just how good a man’s heart is.  Naturally speaking, a man’s heart is wicked.

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 

What comes out of the mouth is an indication as to whether a person’s heart has been transformed or not!   

 

Most important, what comes out of a man’s mouth when he is with those who know him best is the true indicator of the condition of the man’s heart.

Many a person keeps the mouth under control when in public. But how is he in private?

 

Does he privately slander others?

Does he privately talk trash?

Does he privately lose his temper or verbally abuse those he loves the most?

 

As we continue our study of James into next year, we will see just how serious a matter the control of the tongue is.

 

James 3:10-12 - Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. [11] Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? [12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

 

 

 

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 6

 

In James 1:26 James is telling us that the man who outwardly appears religious but can’t control the tongue is fooling himself.  He thinks himself religious, but God has not tamed his tongue.  This man’s religion is useless or vain.

 

This reminds me that what I am is more important to God than what I do in religious activity.

 

Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

POOR RELIGION IS VAIN – Vs. 26

PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE – Vs. 27

 

James 1:27 - 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.

  

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO GOD

 

James is not talking about religion that is acceptable to the world.

James is not talking about religion that is acceptable to friends and loved ones.

James is not talking about religion that is acceptable to us.

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 7

 

James wants us to consider religion that is acceptable or valuable to God.

Such valuable religion is “pure” and “undefiled”   

 

According to John MacArthur, the Greek words for pure and undefiled are synonyms, “…the first emphasizing cleanliness, the second denoting freedom from contamination.” John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary – James, (Chicago, Moody Press, 1998) p. 89

   

This should lead us to self examination.

Is my religion valuable to God because it is clean and without contamination?

Am I consistent in my walk with God?

   

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO GOD

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO MAN

 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…

 

Who had the hardest time in the ancient world?

Widows and orphans had the roughest time.

There was no life insurance.

There were no welfare plans.

There was no government support.

The poverty of widows and orphans was great.

They were in great need.

 

James is saying that a truly religious person is actively concerned about the people who are in the greatest need.

Historically, God had always taught this kind of religion.

 

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 - At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: [29] And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 8

 

thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

 

The New Testament is very clear that we should be a people who care for the needs of those who are less fortunate.

 

Galatians 6:9-10 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

1 John 3:17 - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 

1 Timothy 5:3 - Honour widows that are widows indeed.

 

1 Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 

We should be like the man who went to prayer meeting years ago.  A bunch of requests were given for various needs including a certain widow who was in need of food and fuel.

The man prayed for the requests and when he got to the widow, said something like this, “And Lord, don’t worry about the widow, I’ll take care of her right after prayer meeting.”

 

The practice of pure religion, then, includes meeting the needs of widows, orphans and others in need.

When we take care of widows and orphans, we are touching the heart of God.

 

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 9

 

Psalm 68:5 - A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

 

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO GOD

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO MAN

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO OURSELVES

   

James 1:27 - 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.

 

To insure that the influence of the world system will not harm us, we must first be totally committed to God.

Romans 12:1 - 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.

 

Pure religion keeps a person unspotted, “unstained”, or “unpolluted” by the world.

What we listen to can pollute us.

What we watch can pollute us.

What we participate in can pollute us.

 

James will tell us later in this book in James 4:4, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

 

John tells us in 1 John 2:15-17 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 10

 

 [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

The world system includes three basic areas of temptation to which Eve fell in the Garden of Eden.

 

LUST OF THE FLESH – What feels good

LUST OF THE EYES – What looks good   

PRIDE OF LIFE – What centers around me

 

We have taught our children to sing,

 

BE CAREFUL LITTLE EARS WHAT YOU HEAR

BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES WHAT YOU SEE

BE CAREFUL LITTLE FEET WHERE YOU GO

THERE’S A FATHER UP ABOVE AND HE’S LOOKING DOWN IN LOVE,

BE CAREFUL LITTLE EARS WHAT YOU HEAR

BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES WHAT YOU SEE

BE CAREFUL LITTLE LIPS WHERE YOU GO

 

If you want to be truly happy, don’t let the world influence you.  Be unstained by the world’s influence.

 

“Early in his ministry Dr. Maltbie Babcock, who was the distinguished pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York, was approached by a physician who was a member of his congregation. The physician, a good friend of Dr. Babcock, was concerned about the health of his pastor, who had been working very hard and clearly needed relaxation. Handing Dr. Babcock some theatre tickets, he said: ‘Take these, you need the recreation of going to this play.’

 

“His pastor looked at them, and seeing that they were tickets to a play of a kind he could not conscientiously attend, said kindly: ‘Thank you, but I can’t take them. I can’t go.’   

JAMES 1:26-27 - PAGE 11

 

“’Why not?’ the physician asked. ‘You’re tired and need the entertainment.”

 

“Then Dr. Babcock replied somewhat in this way: ‘Yes, I am tired, and I do need recreation. But, doctor, it’s this way. You are a physician, a surgeon, in fact. When you operate you scrub your hands meticulously until you are antiseptically clean. You wouldn’t dare operate with dirty hands. Well, I am a servant of Christ; I deal with precious human souls. And I wouldn’t dare do my work with a dirty life.’” Hughes, pp. 84-85 

 

Let’s keep our lives pure for the Lord!

 

POOR RELIGION IS VAIN – Vs. 26

PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE – Vs. 27

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO GOD

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO MAN

·        PURE RELIGION IS VALUABLE TO OURSELVES