JAMES 1:26-27 WORSHIPING THE FATHER

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.

Obedience has to do with both what we are not to do as well as with what we are to do. Followers of Jesus should exhibit three characteristics: self control, care for others and personal holiness. Another way of putting this is that we must be dedicated to rooting out selfishness, helping the helpless and living in obedience to God. When we live with these priorities our entire life becomes acceptable worship to God because it reflects the nature of God.

These characteristics are not the totality of true religion, but they represent the three major aspects of right religion. We are to be concerned to look inward, outward and upward in our worship of God. Our tongue is the major window through which the world sees our heart. If we gossip, stretch the truth or utter curses our heart is not right with God. Our action toward our neighbors is the barometer by which the world measures the integrity between our profession of faith and our obedience to God. One who denigrates the helpless is living in direct disobedience to God as he has revealed himself in Holy Scripture. The manner in which we live our life is the manifestation of our relationship with God. If we are no different in our way of living than those who do not profess a faith in God, our relationship with the Father is probably functionally no different either.

Father, I desire to worship you with a religion that has eternal worth. Transform me through your Holy Spirit that my life might exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. Empower me with self control, a generous heart and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for your love that fuels my resistance to the ways of the world. May my life become completely dedicated to worshiping you. Amen.