James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction… 1. It is the glory of religion when it is pure. The true Christian religion is called "a holy faith" (Jude 1:20). No faith goeth so high for rewards, nor is so holy for precepts. Well, then, an impure life will not suit with a holy faith. Precious liquor must be kept in a clean vessel, and "the mystery of the faith" held "in a pure conscience" (1 Timothy 3:9). We never suit with our religion more than when the way is undefiled and the heart pure (Psalm 119:1; Matthew 5:9). 2. That a pure religion should be kept undefiled. A holy life and a bounteous heart are ornaments to the gospel. Religion is not adorned with ceremonies, but purity and charity. 3. A great fruit and token of piety is provision for the afflicted. In Matthew 25. you see acts of charity fill up the bill. Works of mercy do well become them that do expect or have received mercy from God. 4. Charity singleth out the objects that are most miserable. That is true bounty when we give to those that are not able to make requital (Luke 14:12-14). 5. This charity to the poor must be performed as worship, out of respect to God. The apostle saith to visit the fatherless is worship. A Christian hath a holy art of turning duties of the second table into duties of the first; and in respect to man, they worship God. "To do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifice God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:16). Well, then, alms should be sacrifice; not a sin-offering, but a thank-offering to God. 6. True religion and profession is rather for God's eye than man's. It aimeth at the approbation of God, not ostentation before men (Psalm 18:23). 7. We serve God most comfortably when we consider Him as a Father in Christ. We are not servants, but have received the adoption of sons. Get an interest in God, that His work may be sweet to you. 8. The relieving of the afflicted and the unspotted life must go together. 9. The world is a dirty, defiling thing. A man can hardly walk here but he shall defile his garments. (1) The very things of the world leave a taint upon our spirits. By worldly objects we soon grow worldly. It is hard to touch pitch and not to be defiled. (2) The lusts of the world, they stain the glory and deface the excellency of your natures (2 Peter 1:4). (Your affections were made for higher purposes than to be melted out in lusts.) The men of the world are sooty, dirty creatures. We cannot converse with them but they leave their filthiness upon us. (T. Manton.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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