What does a “religious” person look like? What do you envision when you think of someone who is “religious”? Someone carrying a big Bible, or wearing a cross around their neck? Maybe somebody speaking from a pulpit, or singing a solo? What do you think of, when you think of a “religious” person?
Somebody might say, “Well now pastor, it’s not about ‘religion,’ it’s about a relationship.” And that’s true. The Bible doesn’t teach that we’re saved by doing a set of “religious deeds,” but through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross for us. We’ve got to have that personal relationship with Him to be saved — not just a set of “religious deeds.” But even understanding that, the Bible DOES use the word “religion” in a positive way. In fact, it does here in our text for today, James 1:26-27, where it says:
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
So the Bible doesn’t use the word “religion” solely in a negative way here. In fact, it says here that there is both a positive and a negative kind of religion. It says there is a “worthless” sort of religion, but also a “pure” kind of religion. So “religion” in itself is not bad, James says — IF you have the right KIND of religion. How do you know if you have the right kind of religion? That’s what we are going to look at this morning: what the Bible says here about the nature of true and false religion.
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