Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
For any assignment, it is important to know the standard we are being held to before we begin working. In school, we often receive a rubric—a list of expectations—of what should be incorporated in the project to receive a good grade. This standard is not set by the student but the teacher. In this passage, James points out what pure and undefiled religion is in the sight of God. This is not based on our perspective or what we think is best, but how God created us and designed us to live.
God’s standard is one of compassion, reaching out to those who are in need, the destitute in our society, while also remaining pure and set apart for the God’s purposes, even as we feel the pull of temptations around us. As the only one who has lived this way perfectly, Jesus is our model. While on earth, He loved the lowly and the castaways of society. He served them humbly and walked in the world without sin, always in step with His heavenly Father. When we surrender our lives to Him, we change from the inside out. We begin to love those we previously viewed as unlovable or insignificant. We start to serve those we haven’t wanted to make time for. We start to walk in holiness as God’s people who are set apart.
- Where do you struggle with getting outside of yourself to love and serve the needy?
- What are some steps you can take toward loving the widow and the orphan? What are some steps you can take toward walking in holiness?
- Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to equip you and show you opportunities to love the widow and the orphan and reflect Christ in the way you live each day.
