BOOK OF JAMES
STUDY PART 8
CHRISTIANITY, THE FALSE AND THE TRUE
James 1; 26, 27 (26) “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (27) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Intro: The Word of God contains more then most people think about the test of true Christianity. When a person is really born into the family of God, that life is changed and the Word of God obeyed. Hearing the Word of God is not enough. It is however the first step toward a Faith that saves (Rom 10:17). The writer James also draws our attention and focus to the fact that hearing the Word can lead to a vain religion. The Word listened to and not obeyed results in a vain religion. One test of the reality of my salvation is my obedience to what I read and hear (I John 2: 3-6). To continually read the Bible and not see any change in my life means its message has not griped my heart. It also might indicate that I am resisting the message “to always hear and not obey it a folly”.
I. Some seem to be religious (vs. 26) “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James is here addressing the professing Christian, some versions say “any man among you”. He is speaking to those “among the Brethern in Christ” who talk but fail to live what they talk about. Satan has sown tares among the wheat (Math. 13:24-30). Satan mixes the sheep with the goats (Math. 25:31-41). This has resulted in counterfeits among the real (II Corith. 11: 13-15). The Pharisees of Jesus day observed all kinds of religious rites and ceremonies (such as attending church, fasting, praying, giving, etc) but there religion was a vain delusion when they turned from God (Luke 11: 39-44). There is a danger today that James is addressing to us. The danger is sitting with the Brethern, singing with them, giving with them, and listening to God’s Word but never receiving Christ as Lord and Savior (Math. 7:21-23). We are to be aware from this passage in James that this possibility is very real. Look at the verse 26, some versions say “Seem to be religious”. The common word “religion” is found only 5 times in the New Testament and not at all in the Old Testament. In the Bible, the word “Religion” most of the time carries a thought of “outward religious service”. The Bible speaks of those who outwardly seem to conform to religious ceremonies, yet have never truly been saved. Christianity goes beyond an outward form, it is a new life in Christ (John 3:3). This new life should motivates all actions of the Christian (II Corith. 5:17). Many Christians who have been saved for a number of years must be aware of this tendency as well to treat their Faith occasionally as a religion rather than a relationship with Christ. Have there ever been times in your life when you have done this? Paul had dealings with a religious but lost people in the Athenians (Acts 17: 22-23). There city was filled with 30,000 or so idols. Yet, in fear they had missed one, they erected an alter to the “Unknown God”. Paul used this alter as a starting point and preached unto them “Christ” can only save and not a religion.
II. Look at the second part of vs. 26 “Does not keep a tight rein on his tongue/brideth not his tongue” – James here likens the human tongue to a horse that needs a bridle. The true test of a man’s religion is not his ability to speak his mind, but rather his ability to bridle his tongue. To hold the tongue needs self control and results in (James 3:2, Ps. 39:1). The sins of the tongue are many and a man who has a lying tongue has what seems to be a religion. We are told to put away lying (Eph. 4:25). Satan is the father of lyers (John 8:44)-here in this passage of John, John gives a blacklist of sinners and ends with liars, “and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev 21:8). Evil speaking has done great mischief “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth –Eph. 4:29, Eph 5:4. The wrong use of the tongue is the result of sin.
III. Vs. 26 “He deceives himself and his religion is worthless/This man’s religion is in vain”- James here means its empty, useless, unreal and a counterfeit. An unbridled tongue might just as well not profess to worship God, its vain. Remember as well, one can have a controlled tongue and still not be a Christian “The Words of his mouth were smoother than butter but war was in his heart” –Ps. 55:21. *(Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart).
IV. (vs. 27) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.- Religion- vs 27 refers to a pure religion that results in works (Eph 2: 8,9,10). We need a balance between doctrine and practice- (Tit 3:5-8). Sound doctrine is important but we need to emphasize the fruits of faith (Gal 5: 22-23). Pure religion is the positive side of Christianity. When something is pure, it is unmixed with a foreign matter. A pure Christian is one free of pride, malice, hypocrisy, etc. “Blessed are the pure in heart (Math. 5:8).
V. (Vs. 27) –Religion that God our Father accepts/before God and the Father- A man with a mere form of religion might appear good before men. Here we are told by James what in the eyes of God is pure religion. (I Sam 16:7). “To look after the orphans and widows in their distress/to visit the fatherless and the widows”-this means more than just a cheery visit. This translation “Look after” means ready to help (Luke 10:30-37). The visit of God’s son to earth was more than just a social call. (Math 20:28). Christ ministered to the needs of all. Kindness is the first step in reaching the lost. A deed of kindness has lead many to Christ. “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of Faith”-Gal 6:10.
VI. Last part of vs. 27, “to keep oneself from being polluted by the world/to keep himself unspotted from the word.” – this part of vs. 27 does not refer to our salvation. We are secure in Christ (Phil 1:6)(II Tim. 1:12). There is a personal responsibility to keep ourselves unspotted and unpolluted from the world. The word “world” here means –world system. Paul calls it this present evil world. Christ walked, talked, ate with those in sin and yet remained unspotted. Most who are in the world oppose the precepts taugh in the Word of God. Therefore, to conform to the world is to walk in disobendience to Gods word (I John 5:1-3).
CONCLUSION: Do you have a religion or a relationship with Christ? What type of religion do you have – vain religion where there is no obedience to God’s word or a pure religion that delights in Him? QUOTE- Its good to be saved and know it; its better to be saved and show it!”