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The Church should be ashamed to entrust this work to the government, who must steal the money from the public in order to inefficiently distribute it to the poor. In biblical societies, and perhaps even today, orphans and widows were most likely to fall into that category. God makes a distinction in the Word between the poor who could be working or cared for by family (2 Thes 3:10 1 Tim 5:3), and the helpless poor. There is no Christian who is not to care for the poor. #2 “…is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
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They must fear him rightly and seek to obey him according to his righteousness. This does not mean that a Christian must be perfect, but it does mean they must genuinely love and follow God. God is not looking for an outward show of piety that is not accompanied by an inward state of pure and faultless devotion. #1 “Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless…” Breaking Down the Key Parts of James 1:27 Jesus said that a man is polluted by what comes out of his mouth as it shows what is in his heart (Mt 15:11). Perhaps this is the reason for the admonishment to avoid the world’s pollution. It is worth noting that in the verse just prior to this, James takes issue with those who would claim faith in God but don’t keep a reign on their tongue. The other part, avoiding the pollution of the world is more general, and one would need the rest of the Bible to flesh out all the ways in which this is possible. Part of this is very specific, caring for the truly needy. If one wants to be “religious in a way that the Father accepts, one must look after those who need help and cannot help themselves, and one must shun the ways of the world that pollute the soul. They may practice a form of goodness, but ignore key areas, such as pride and greed.īut here, James is using the word synonymously with belief.
#Widows and orphans bible how to
This is very specific instruction about how to be a follower of Jesus, or in other words, how to be “religious.” The word religion is sometimes today used in a negative way to describe a person who hypocritically goes through the motions of religion, but does not live in obedience to God. James was written about AD48, with some believing that it is the first New Testament book.“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.” Explanation and Commentary of James 1:27 27 A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 25 But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it-thereby demonstrating that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what that law requires-will be blessed in what he does.Ģ6 If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself,k his religion is worthless. 23 For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror 24 and studies himself carefully, and then goes off and immediately forgets what he looks like. 21 Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls.Ģ2 Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. 20 For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 18 In accordance with his will he made us his children by the word of truth, so that we might become the most important of his creatures.ġ9 You must understand this, my dear brothers. 17 Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. Background Reading: Practical Christian Livingġ:16 Do not be deceived, my dear brothers. And includes these words - 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.
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And he carries on writing that we must not merely listen to the word but Do what it says. James gives practical advice on things like quick to listen and slow to speak or become angry. James’s letter is very practical for Christian living. James wrote about looking after the weak in the body of the church.