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James 1:27
27 Pure [katharos] religion [threskeia] and [kai] undefiled [amiantos] before [para] God [theos] and [kai] the Father [pater] is [esti] this [houtos], To visit [episkeptomai] the fatherless [orphanos] and [kai] widows [chera] in [en] their [autos] affliction [thlipsis], and to keep [tereo] himself [heautou] unspotted [aspilos] from [apo] the world [kosmos]. KJV-Interlinear
27 This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. NASB
The typical order of priorities of folks is generally self first, then maybe others if there is time, or so long as they are not an inconvenience, or so long that there is sufficient excess that will enable you to deal with others, and then God, maybe.
However, here we learn the true priorities of a person, or what they should be. First, there is the Father, then there are others, and then self comes in last.
Pure and undefiled religion means, genuine faith that contains no flaws, no blemishes, no sin or human good whatsoever.
In this sense, religion stands for the plan of the Father. God the Father is the author of the divine plan.
The divine plan is subscribed to by the Son and the Spirit. All three members of the Godhead subscribe to, and have adopted, the plan of the Father. They do not compete nor attempt to modify the plan in any way.
To reject the plan of the Father is to reject Him. To reject the Father, is to reject His plan.
The divine plan includes everything in life regarding you, your life, your circumstances, provision for your salvation, provision for the whole concept of your spiritual growth, the dispensations of history, the work of Christ on the Cross, and so forth, for everyone in all of human history.
Second, your attitude toward others is paramount. Selfishness, prejudice, favoritism and so forth all are taboo behaviors. Those who need help the most are portrayed as orphans and widows. To them the world cares nothing, and of them the world takes the most advantage. They are cheated, defrauded, taken advantage of by any and all.
If you have access to he internet, you won't be online for very long before you start getting attacks on your computer, spam, and malicious emails. Your computer comes off the shelf usually with a virus protection program of some kind. Why? Because the world is full of evil malicious thieving people. Most advertisement cannot even be trusted, let alone the true source of most email. So, the most used key on the keyboard is the delete key.
Where is empathy, sympathy, or honesty in the world? The world is severely lacking in these areas. Selfishness, greed, and lust combine with the feeling of a hidden identity because of the internet to give evil folks a new high in being bold in their criminal efforts.
Then there is self. If self comes in last, then everyone else is taken care of. But, far too many put self before even their own family, let alone strangers.
I saw an interview of a kid in Afghanistan. He thought being a terrorist was an occupation equivalent to that of a bricklayer, or carpenter, or doctor. It is a sad state in society when crime and evil are raised to be equal with legitimate occupations.
But then, when society has fallen to such low levels, that it cannot distinguish between good and evil, then what is there to say about their priorities?
A child who lives in a region that is corrupted by Islam as well as other false religions, can be understood. But, how can one understand a child who joins gangs in a more advanced society. Are they different or the same?
Lack of doctrine, regardless of ones location or circumstances will always result in a confused society. However, God is not limited by mans circumstances. God can bring truth and discernment to anyone, anywhere in the world.
You can be negative toward God, Christ, and doctrine anywhere in the world. Likewise regardless of where you live in this world, you can make yourself 'unstained,' through doctrine. We call that mechanism, confession. Our study of 1, 2, 3 Jn., cover that topic thoroughly.
The true religion, or true faith, comes only from God, through doctrine, which produces the proper attitude which you should have toward life, and should be lived while resident in fellowship.
That is the spiritual life. That is the Christian life. It is the easiest life to obtain, through a daily study of the Word of God, but the most difficult pattern of life to live, because of the phenomenal opposition that the world will throw at you.
But then, if you allow it, God will deal with the world for you, making that portion of life, both easier and something you can handle.
