PRACTICING A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN WALK: A Study in the book of James “Pure Religion” James 1:26,27

James 1:26-27 26  If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. 27  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. “Pure Religion”

“Pure Religion” I. The Public Ritual of Worship: “Religious” The Test of Religion: 1. The Control of the Tongue: 2. The Authenticity of the Heart: 3. The worthlessness of religion: “Pure Religion”

Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV) 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” “Pure Religion”

II. The Pure Relational Religion: (This is II. The Pure Relational Religion: (This is James’ term for ‘Real Christianity’) First, It is measured by God the Father: Second, It is motivated by an inner pursuit of Godliness: Thirdly, It is ministry in the purest form: “Pure Religion”

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (ESV) 28  “At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. 29  And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do. “Pure Religion”

Jeremiah 7:6-7 (ESV) 6  if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7  then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever. “Pure Religion”

Real Christianity focus’ on the following: TO VISIT THE ORPHANS: (The results of the persecution and famines) TO VISIT THE WIDOWS: (Acts 6:1; I Tim 5:3) TO KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED BY THE WORLD: “Pure Religion”

1 Peter 1:17-19 (ESV) 17  And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18  knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19  but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. “Pure Religion”

“Pure Religion” Life Steps for US as a church Focus on orphans: Step up attention to widows/widowers Pledge to keep yourself without moral or spiritual compromise. “Pure Religion”