Our verses for today bring up the subject of religion. You may have heard it said that if you want to keep the conversation pleasant, avoid the topics of religion and politics. Well I hope our discussion will be pleasant, but we’re not going to sidestep the subject of religion…let’s look at James 1:26-27 as we begin:

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 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 1:26-27 NASB95)

I’ve noticed lately that Wayne has been using Young’s Literal Translation frequently in his sermons…let’s see how that reads:

If any one doth think to be religious among you, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, of this one vain is the religion; religion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this, to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation—unspotted to keep himself from the world. (James 1:26-27 YLT)

I can see why we don’t use that translation exclusively, but it’s good to see how the Greek reads literally.

The REM version would read:

Once again, we see the Old Covenant approach. In these verses, James now moves from the more general "not just hearing but doing" to the more specific "not mere worship but doing." The word religious (threskos /thrace·kos) means "given to religious observances." In this context it refers to attendance at worship services and to other observances of religion, such as prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. A man who is scrupulous in these observances but fails to control his speech in everyday life deceives himself, and his religion is vain

Although it would be quite easy to do so, it’s probably not fair to say that James is giving a complete description of religion here in verse 27, but he makes it clear that any claim to religion that is not supported by certain observable behavior is deception. The observable behavior he describes that validates a man’s claim to religion is like a three-legged stool: Control your tongue; Care for the helpless and avoid Contamination by the world.

Our word religion, is a term when viewed etymologically, of uncertain derivation. Some of the earliest translators and church fathers saw it as giving attention to divine things, while others saw it in terms of obligation to the divine. The Greek word (threskos /thrace·kos) used here by James only appears five times in the New Testament and generally refers to the external practice of Jews, pagans or Christians toward God or the supernatural. It seems ironic that James, a Jew who had practiced prescribed rituals and ceremonies his whole life and, in fact, continued to do so, would describe pure and undefiled religion in terms that had nothing to do with ritual or ceremony. I believe this is evidence of his personal transition from Judaism to Christianity. I’m sure he saw the inconsistency of those of the Pharisee sect and others who "talked the talk" but failed to "walk the walk" and realized that if Christianity were to have any impact on those "outside" its believers would have to display a lifestyle consistent with their doctrine.

With the passage of time, the word religion has generally been used to describe any set of beliefs and/or practices that are held or observed to demonstrate a person’s obedience to (G) god or to describe their perception of (G) god. Christianity has sought to differentiate itself from other religions by pointing out that its content has been Divinely revealed (the Bible) and its outward expression is not an attempt to secure salvation but a thank-offering for the salvation freely given by God’s grace.

Recently, and especially here at Hoffmantown since the arrival of Wayne Barber as Senior Pastor, religion has been described as any attempt by humans to please, obey or satisfy (G) god…man’s efforts directed toward the (D) divine. Christianity, as opposed to religion, has been described as a relationship between God and man where Jesus, as the Holy Spirit, comes to live inside to express His life in and through the believer. This idea draws our focus away from ourselves to God.

Conclusion and summary of chapter 1:

One of the best tests of Christian maturity is tribulation. When God’s people go through personal trials, they discover what kind of faith they really possess. Trials not only reveal our faith; they also develop our faith and Christian character.

In chapter 1, James has given three reasons that Christians can rejoice, even in tribulation: