What is pure religion? – James 1:26-27 {Memory verse}

[click on picture above then download for full-size wallpaper]

MEMORIZE

Plan A:

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:26-27 (ESV)

Plan B:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27 (ESV)

MEDITATE

Things aren’t always as they seem in the religious world. What reveals if we truly love Christ and love others? Our fruit. James reminds us in these final verses in chapter 1 that our words (which include our tone and attitude and expressions) are tied closest to our heart. They expose our devotion as either full or empty.

Then if our hearts’ intentions are pure, our actions will follow.

“A society shows its true strength by how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
– Philip Yancey

The orphans and widows were vulnerable back in James’ day (as well as our day). Who are the most vulnerable people in your community? Maybe you’d also include the depressed? The bullied? The broken?

PRAY

Lord,
Especially today, help us protect the weak. Stand up for the vulnerable. Have compassion on the wounded. We want to bear the image of Your holiness in our world.

THIS IS THE END OF OUR MEMORY CHALLENGE!

Thank you for reading and learning alongside us. We encourage you to continue reviewing James 1 often to solidify it in your heart and to live it out in your actions.

Stay tuned next month for news on our NEXT memory challenge for the fall!