THE BIBLE AND PURE RELIGION

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND PURE RELIGION 

Devotional Text: James 1: 27

Introduction:

The EN English dictionary defines religion as “the belief in, and worship of a Supernatural Controlling Power, especially a Personal God or gods. And, the Bible portrays “Pure Religion” as a caring religion. This connotes the concept of practical Christianity, which demonstrates genuine love towards the less-privileged members, by providing their basic necessities of life. To this end, the scriptural text of this lesson stresses that, “Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”, (James 1:27).

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Pure Religion must be undefiled before God (vs. 27)

(2)     Pure Religion seeks to do the will of our heavenly Father, (vs. 27)

(3)     Pure Religion takes care of the less-privileged in society (vs. 27)

(4)     Pure Religion must be unspotted from the world (vs. 27)

PURE RELIGION AND DEFILEMENT

Pure Religion does not condone any form of pollution or impurity, as it inspires hope and positive living aimed at being like Christ. In this connection, the Holy Scripture says … “now are we the sons of God and it have not appeared what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). This shows that the evidence of Pure Religion is a practical life of holiness, for He says… be holy, for I am holy, (1 Peter1:16). To this end, therefore;

(i)                   whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law, (1 John 3:4)

(ii)                 and you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin (vs. 5)

(iii)                whosoever abides in him sins not; whosoever sins had not seen, nor know Him, (vs.6)

PURE RELIGION AND CHARITY

Charity is another mark of Pure Religion, and charity, in general, is an attitude of kindness and understanding towards others, and often manifested in benevolence to people less fortunate than ourselves, by providing goods or money to those in need. This supports the biblical truth that, Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction… (James 1:27B). Without charity one’s religion is nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-2), and when one shows kindness without charity, it profit nothing, (vs. 3). So, Pure Religion goes with genuine charity. Based on the foregoing, please notice other characteristics of charity;

(i)                   charity suffers long, and is kind: charity envies not: charity vaunts not itself unseemly; seeks not her own; is not easily provoked; thinks no evil (1 Cor. 13:4-5)

(ii)                 charity rejoices not in iniquity; but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things; endues all things (vs. 6-7)

(iii)                charity never fails; but whether there be  prophecies, they shall fail, whether there be tongues, they shall cease, whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away, (vs. 8)

PURE RELIGION AND WORLDLINESS

Pure Religion has nothing to do with worldliness. For, it sticks to the Scripture, “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; if any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world passes away; and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abides forever”, (1 John 2:15-17). The world is a point of pollution to Pure Religion, and so, one with Pure Religion must keep oneself unspotted from the world, (James 1:27C). In line with the above, let it be noted that Pure Religion must;

(i)                   have nothing to do with the lust of the eyes and flesh, as well as the pride of life, (1 John 2:15-16)

(ii)                 not allow the spots of the pollution of the world, (James 1:27)

(iii)                get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the Word of God, which can save, (James 1:21)

In conclusion, please, note that Pure Religion has three outstanding characteristics; the undefiled state, charity and freedom from the pollutions of the world, which the Lord Jesus Christ is the Absolute Source of Enablement, for without Him, we can do nothing, (John 15:5). SO, YOU NEED HIM!