Focus: James 1:27 - KJV
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.
James 1:26-27
The expectation of the Master is that those of us as are named with Him would separate ourselves fully from the impurities of the world; and then, as we are His representatives on earth, as He has invited all those that labor and are heavy ladened unto Himself, for deserved rest, we are to give comfort to those in need, particularly the orphans and the widows. No wonder He proclaimed that whatever we do to these ones we actually do unto Him directly. This is pure religion. Yes, religion. The tendency is for us to say Christianity is no religion but faith. However, religion is defined as the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods. To the extent of the worship of gods, Christianity is no religion; but to the extent of the worship of God, it is. It is a particular system of faith and worship. Even the Bible makes it plain that this is pure religion.
Whether we accept it is a religion or not, it is enough that we keep our faith pure by doing that which the Master directs. The world is in turmoil and crisis in the present day as inflation and natural disasters have been the order of the time. More than ever, we are called to feed our Lord and give Him to drink by giving to them that are in need particularly those whom He considers to be the more vulnerable – the widows and the orphans. More vulnerable in that others may have some strong man or another to lean on, but these ones have lost their super figure. Aside this, as the role model they look to is gone, they must be able to find in us those things that will make them pure, even as we preach the gospel of the kingdom to them.
Beloved, one of the things that qualifies the Christian to sit on the right side of God is pure religion. Those who fail to give Christ to eat when hungry or to drink when thirsty, He would deny also on that crucial day. Please do not turn your back on the needy at this time. Let us do all we can to be our brothers’ keeper even as we show that we are Christlike in all our affairs and activities. The day of reckoning is already at hand. Abraham knew not that his day had come when he entertained three men who were strangers. That singular act activated his fulfilment of destiny. Our refusal to help others because of some peculiar thing we are passing through may be just the enemy’s way of wanting that day of favor to pass by. May we not miss our blessings in Jesus’ name.
SOLUTION: Let the whole world find benevolence in you as you extend the hand of love to the needy, particularly the widows and the orphans, at this time. Prove your faith in the way you live life, separating yourself from the filth of this world, which Christ warned us against.
Please pray: Father, we present to you all those who are going through some pain at this time, particularly the widows and orphans; please bring succor unto them dear Lord, in Jesus’ name. You that give seed to the sower, whenever we encounter the needy, please ensure that we have seed enough to sow and grant us the heart to truly sow in Jesus’ name. Do not let us ever miss our opportunity to be blessed in you, in Jesus’ name.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name.
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