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.”

I’ve heard a lot of Christians lately say something like, “I don’t consider myself to be religious.” I know what they are trying to say. They mean that the Christian life should be based on a relationship with Jesus Christ, rather than being based on a set of rules and ceremonies. In this sense, I don’t consider myself to be religious either. But I do want to be purely religious.

God doesn’t define pure religion as a set of rules and ceremonies. Pure religion is far nobler than this. James says, “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.” Pure religion consists of compassion and holiness.

A Christian needs to have a heart of compassion. Our desire should be to help those who are suffering. James mentions orphans and widows because they are often the least able to help themselves. Quite often, people from my church will drive down to an orphanage in Agua Prieta, Mexico. They bring food and other needed items for the children. They also spend some time playing with the children, including kicking around a soccer ball. Hopefully, my friends from church bring a little joy into these children’s lives.

Of course, our compassion should not be limited to orphans and widows. All people need compassion. Can we feed the hungry? Can we clothe the naked? Can we visit prisoners and people who are sick? Can we comfort the hurting? Can we give hope to the hopeless? Can we share the love of Christ with a dying world?

A Christian who wants pure religion also needs to have a life of holiness. Holiness seems to be a touchy subject among Christians. Many Christians equate holiness with legalism and want no part of it. I’m not sure what they do with verses that command us to be holy. Holiness simply means that we’re set apart for God’s use.

Mothers often set apart certain dresses for their daughters to wear to church. These dresses aren’t worn for playing in the dirt because mother doesn’t want the dresses to be spotted with filth. Neither does God want us spotted with the filth of the world. We should live a life that pleases God.

Pure religion is touching the world with the compassion of Christ, without letting the world touch us with the stain of sin.