James 1
TRUE RELIGION
There are three aspects to true religion. This is how James describes it: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1 v 26 – 27 ESV).

Here are the three aspects:

1. Keep control of your tongue. Whether that is in self talk, what we say to others, or what we say to God, the things that we say and the ways we boast can deceive us into believing that we can’t have or don’t need God’s grace.
2. Visit orphans and widows. This could easily be extended to anyone else who is sick or in need. Show genuine love and compassion to those who cannot pay us back.
3. Keep yourself unstained from the world. It’s all too easy to slip in to the world’s groove, to take on the world’s philosophies. They affect our thinking and ability to serve God as we should.

So let us keep control of our tongues, look after each other and stay pure for God.

May our lives overflow with good works done in love for God this week.

With love in our Lord,
Robert