Faithfull Living - Studies from
the Book of James
"Virtual or Actual
Religion"? James 1: 26-27 - by Pastor Jack Anderson
Introduction. The topic, which is brought before us in the closing verses
of chapter 1, is Religion. Religion, for many, conjures up the idea of boredom,
a monotonous and dreary routine.
J.B.Phillips-
defined religion as Rites, Robes, Bells and Smells, which are irrelevant to the
issues of daily life. Religion—is man trying to make his way up to
God—Christianity-is God making His way down to man with blessing.
One of the most exciting advances in
modern technology is what is known as, Virtual Reality, which makes it
possible for you to feel as if you are there in a particular set of
circumstances or situation.
They can put you in an aeroplane cockpit
and simulate a flight, and you can get all the sensations, all the feelings and
all the emotions, as though you were actually flying the plane. It is not real
but you feel like it is real, it is not actual it is Virtual but it seems like
it is the real thing.
In the realm of the Spiritual, there are
many dear folks and all that they have is a Virtual Religion, a counterfeit
Christianity that they consider to be the real thing. It feels like the real
thing but it is Virtual and not Actual.
James 1:26 if any man among
you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his
tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's
religion is vain.
There are those who consider themselves to
be Religious but theirs is not Biblical Christianity. Jesus said--
Matt 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have
cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
John put it like this; 1John 2:19 "they
went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, for if they had
belonged to us, they would have remained with us.
They were counterfeits. How are genuine
Christians different?
True Christianity is not expressed in
terms of dead formality but a living faith, which is woven into every aspect of
life.
True believers not only know Christ, they
live Christ. They sow consistency and they also show character, which is
displayed by conversation, by concern, and by conduct.
False religion deceives many, while True
religion delights God.
A Religion
that is Condemned.
Verse 26---
A survey might reveal a religious person
as one who, believes in God, attends church services, reads the Bible and gives
money for the Lord's work.
James gives a different definition.
Practicality is where James is at . . . not show!
James, in this first chapter, was
concerned about certain dangers.
1.
The danger
of Blaming God when one is tempted. Verse 13.
2. The danger of being a hearer of the Word of God and
not a doer. Verse 23.
3. The danger of having Religion without Reality.
Realism is Missing
The words Religious and Religion are
seldom found in the Bible. In fact, they are not found at all in the Old Testament,
and only five times in the New Testament. The word Religion carries the idea of
outward religious service or ceremony.
There are those, who hear the word of God
and they seem to respond in a positive way. They move in Christian circles,
attend a good church, carry a Bible and wear the right kind of label, but in
fact they are deceiving themselves, because they are still in an unregenerate
state –they are not saved.
Many so-called Religions in the world can
claim to have earnest, zealous followers, who are sincere in all that they are
doing. But neither the movement nor its followers can be called Christian, just
because they conform to certain outward forms of ritual. The fact of the matter
is that they deceive themselves.
Secondly, we must keep in mind that James is writing to
professing Christians, and he is deeply aware that, among the genuine
believers, tares are to be found, for this is the work of Satan. Satan sows
Tares among the wheat, and he mixes goats among the sheep.
Therefore, among the people of God, there
are those who have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof.
Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of
the church in Sardis write; These things saith he
that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that
thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
The form was there, the name was there,
the reputation was there; but there was no life, no reality. The Pharisees were
scrupulous in observing religious rites and ceremonies. They were into praying
and fasting in a big way, but often their religion was a vain delusion.
Illustration. A man was being shown around
"Yes" the man replied", but
there is only one drawback, I never get to a place of worship". This man
spent his whole life within the four walls of this beautiful shrine, yet he
never got to a place of worship.
How often do we get to the place of
worship where we worship the Lord with reality? Where we love the Lord our God
with all our heart, and with all our soul, mind, and
strength and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
In worship, we meet the power of God and
stand in it’s strengthening. Fellowship
with a holy God will produce holy living. Beware of the danger of slipping into
the routine of outward religion, which is devoid of Realism.
Realism is
Missing
Restraint
is Missing.
V26 "and bridleth not his tongue
With bluntness James exposes the unreality
of a mere religious profession. Let no man boast of his religion, if he cannot
control his tongue.
Try as he may, a man will eventually
betray himself with his mouth.
Matt 12:34 O generation of
vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For
out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh
Jesus gives us a working practical
principle to apply to our lives. "The tongue will inevitably reveal what
is on the inside." True religion in the heart controls every part of life
and body, even the tongue/speech.
Matt 12:33 Either make the
tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit
corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
35 A good man out of the good
treasure of the heart bringeth forth-good things: and
an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth
forth-evil things.
36 But
I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the Day of Judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Few things give a clearer indication as to
the state of a person’s heart than the words, which they speak. We may not be
able to discern the condition of a tree by its roots, but we can draw our
conclusions when we examine its fruit.
James makes it very clear in this epistle
that the true test of a person’s religion—is not that he is unable to speak his
mind but has the ability to hold his tongue.
The ability to hold the
tongue is one form of self-control.
James 3:2
for in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,
and able also to bridle the whole body.
James sees the tongue as something that
needs to be restrained.
The Psalmist said.
Ps 39:1 I said, I will take
heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will
keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. (KJV)
An uncontrolled tongue is the evidence of
a heart that is not under the control of the Saviour.
Illustration. --Once
while John Wesley was preaching, he noticed a lady in the congregation who was
known for her critical attitude. All through the service she sat and stared at
his new tie.
When the meeting ended, she came up to him
and said very sharply, "Mr. Wesley, the strings on your bow tie
are much too long. It's an offence to me!" Wesley asked if any of the
ladies present happened to have a pair of scissors in their purse.
When the scissors were handed to him, he gave them to
his critic and asked her to trim the strings to her liking. After she clipped
them off near the collar, he said,
"Are you sure they're all right
now?" "Yes, that's much better." she replied.
"Then, let me have those scissors a
moment," said Wesley. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I also gave you
a bit of correction. I must tell you, madam that your tongue is an offence
to me - it's too long! Please stick it out . . . I'd like to take some off
it"
The wrong use of the tongue can be so
hurtful. How often God’s work is hindered and His people hurt by the use of a
carnal and uncontrolled tongue?.
How we need to pray with David
Ps 141:Set
a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Two things happen when a person fails to
control their tongue, he deceives himself; and his religion is worthless.
1. A
Religion that is Condemned.
A
Virtual Religion -
Realism is
Missing
Restraint
is Missing.
Result is
Missing
To the God, who searches the heart,
superficial religious observance is utterly worthless. A worthless religion
is futile and fruitless. Words and actions that do not spring from faith
are worthless. One day they shall be consumed in the fire of God’s judgement.
1 Cor 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made
manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a
reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2. A
Religion That is Commended
Actual Religion.
James 1:27 pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to
visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself
unspotted from the world.
James now turns from the negative exercise
of condemning false Virtual religion to
the positive exercise of commending true religion Actual
Christianity.
He gives us the marks of the real thing
and what God accepts.
When Christianity is genuine, certain
things will be displayed to show that there is reality.
1.
Personified Cleanliness. V27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father. Undefiled before God means to be unsoiled, to be pure. This
is the language of Salvation, the language of Justification.
A person can only be pure before God when
they are Saved and washed in the Blood of Jesus who
cleanses us from all our sin.
2.
Practical Concern V27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father
is this---To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.
This is down to earth practical
Christianity, which is completely in tune with his description of God as our
father. It is also in tune with the Biblical teaching that shows God to be the
Father of the Fatherless.
Psa 68:5 A father
of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy
habitation.
Isa 1:17 learn to do well seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the
widow.
What amazing unity there is in the scriptures. How clearly the word of God insists, that we
show the reality of our faith by the quality of our lives, by showing loving
kindness and concern to those in need.
Actual Christianity will
manifest itself in caring deeds.
Alec Motyer rightly
said, " Caring love for the helpless is not
accidental or an optional manifestation of the new nature, but it is part of
its very essence.
There must be a practical demonstration of
the Love of God in our hearts and of the Love of God that we preach.
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath
this world's good, and seeth his brother have need,
and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from
him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little
children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
James is saying that Actual Christianity
will express itself in practical concern
James is not saying that good works save
us. Being saved never results from good works, but being saved does result in
good works.
The Apostle Paul reminds us Eph 2:10 for we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them.
Actual religion will show practical concern. James uses two examples
of the most obvious recipients of Christian concern—orphans and widows.
The Greek word for visit espiskeptomai -- means to see, to inspect, and to look
after. In fact it’s the root of our word "Bishop", which means
overseer
Someone has said, "A
generous heart feels others' ill as if it were responsible for them.
James is saying that we are to be
concerned about those, who are suffering and sorrowful, and concerned about
those, who are going through hard times and for those who need to be protected
and cared for.
No amount of Church attendance will
absolve Christians from the responsibility of proving the reality of their
faith by demonstrating Practical Concern.
Said a wise man to one in deep
sorrow, "I did not come to comfort you;
God only can do that; but I
did come to say how deeply and tenderly I feel for you in your
affliction." Tryon Edwards
Actual Religion---
1.
Personified Cleanliness.
2.
Practical Concern
3
Personal Control
V 27 Pure religion
and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (KJV)
This final exhortation completes the
picture James has been painting. Those who are
practising Actual Christianity keep themselves unspotted-unpolluted.
They keep themselves Holy in the midst of
a corrupt and polluted world, by controlling their Personal holiness and
staying away from compromising situations.
James is not saying that we are to stay
out of the world, and live in isolation. He is talking about insulation.
Virtual
Religion—thinks and acts in
accordance with the values of this world’s systems
Actual
Christianity—thinks and acts
in accordance to the "Word of God". We are the Salt and light to a
dark and corrupt world. Are we a credible witness?
Is Yours Virtual or Actual
Christianity?
To be spotted by the world and its system
does not mean we lose our salvation, but we loose all that we have lived for.
Lot, the nephew of Abraham, is a prime example of how sin can move in on us.
1.
Lot
pitched his tent towards
We might say he lost everything though he
was saved.
The sign in the drapers shop
window read.
Slightly soiled goods—greatly
reduced in price.
How many Christians have those words
written on their lives? Christians whose lives are spotted and stained by sin
loose much of the value of the Christian life. True religion resembles the life
of Abraham who separated himself from a society without God.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1A
Religion that is Condemned.
A Virtual Religion where-
1. Realism
is Missing
2.
Restraint is Missing.
3. Result
is Missing
2. A
Religion That is Commended
Actual
Religion.
1.
Personified Cleanliness.
2.
Practical Concern
3
Personal Control
Holiness has
love for its essence, humility for its clothing, the good of others as its
employment, and the honor of God as its end.
Nathaniel Emmons (1745-1840)
Set your
affections on things above and not on the things of earth—then your life will
not be one of
Virtual Reality—but of Actuality.
Henceforth
may no profane delight
Divide
this consecrated soul
Possess
it Thou who hast the Right
As Lord and Master of the whole.