“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, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ cc: pmarkham -

THE BOTTOM LINE: PURE RELIGION CALLS US TO LIVE HOLY TOWARD GOD AND COMPASSIONATE TOWARD OTHERS. cc: pmarkham -

Pure religion changes how you speak and transforms your heart. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ cc: pmarkham -

GOD DID NOT INTEND FOR OUR RELIGION TO CONSIST SOLELY OF "GOING TO CHURCH"... Although, extending OUR HEART TO GOD IN WORSHIP is certainly important; but so is extending OUR HAND TO MAN IN SERVICE! cc: pmarkham -

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ cc: pmarkham -

Pure and undefiled religion demands personal contact with the world’s sorrow.... And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” ‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:14 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ cc: pmarkham -

Until we apply the Word of God by showing kindness and compassion for the poor and helpless, all the preaching, teaching, and studying we may do cannot make our religion "pure and undefiled"! cc: pmarkham -

James is saying that our religion is for nothing unless it is PURE - without blemish 2. UNDEFILED - untainted 3. Capable of keeping us UNSPOTTED from (by) the world cc: pmarkham -

BUT IF WE ARE SINNERS HOW CAN WE EVER BE PURE, UNDEFILED, AND UNSPOTTED? BUT IF WE ARE SINNERS HOW CAN WE EVER BE PURE, UNDEFILED, AND UNSPOTTED? cc: pmarkham -

1. It is possible, only BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST! 2. It is possible only BY THE HELP OF GOD! cc: pmarkham -

Application: 1. What kind of religion do YOU have? THE BOTTOM LINE: PURE RELIGION CALLS US TO LIVE HOLY TOWARD GOD AND COMPASSIONATE TOWARD OTHERS. cc: pmarkham -

PURE RELIGION JAMES 1:26-27 cc: pmarkham -