James Teaches Religion and Faith James 1:26-2:9

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self

Matthew 15:8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? … 10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law… …

REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self

REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ

James 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ Psalm 50:7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. 8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. 9 I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.

REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ