It is, or will soon become, a dead church, for a loveless religion is not the religion of Christ.Īs chief examples of the needy, James mentions widows and orphans. A church that neglects good works on behalf of either shows that it lacks this unique love. A distinguishing trait of Spirit-filled believers is a rich godly love both for the brethren and for unbelievers (John 13:34–35). A religion bearing the second mark but not the first is sterile, because good works are a natural outgrowth and visible expression of love for those who receive the benefit. Yet, although personal separation is the second mark of true religion, the first mark is to practice good works. God will not pour power and blessing on a church that fails to draw its spiritual babes out of sin's bondage.
If a church is dominated by unseparated lifestyles, any of its attempts to help the needy will be wasted effort, gaining no eternal results. Generous charity without separation from worldly sin is pointless, for nothing in a sinful life can win the approval of a righteous God or advance His program. But lest we think that good works alone are genuine religion, James adds the requirement to remain unsoiled by the world. Rather, he means that one mark of an authentic Christian is commitment to helping the needy, whether a widow, an orphan, or someone else. It combines personal devotion to good works with personal separation from every evil work.Īs we said before, James obviously does not mean to limit good works to the one he chooses as an example. "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." In other words, the positive side of pure religion has two components. Now, after exposing hypocrisy, he goes on in verse 27 to give the two marks of genuine religion.Īs we remarked in our introductory lesson, verse 27 provides the term "godliness" with a formal definition. In the last verse, James confronts a professing Christian who cannot control his tongue and brands his religion as vain.
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