James H. Cagle is a resident of Ray City.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James.1: 27).

The word religion comes from the word re-ligare which means to bind back or bind together. The idea being that one is bound to a specific system of belief that they must adhere to when they embrace a particular religion as the Christian-religion, the Buddhist-religion, the Hindu-religion, etc.

Religion today is a multi million-dollar business, and mostly about show and the feel-good experience. Religion today addresses mostly a person’s felt needs but not their real needs.

It would be safe to say that we have gotten away from the purity and simplicity of the gospel that the first century church had.

We must wonder where and when did we go wrong and take what was so simple and beautiful and powerful and meaningful and turn it into something so complex, weak and anemic, that’s hard to understand and hard to find Scripture to support it?

James in one sentence describes true biblical religion as pure, meaning there must be impure religion, and undefiled, meaning there must be religion that is defiled.

As James described true religion and simplified its meaning, Jesus in similar fashion simplified and summarized the whole teachings of the law when He said, we were to first love God with our total being and then our neighbor as our self (Mt. 22: 37-40). (Cf. Also Micah 6:8).

The religion or religiosity of the average Christian is strictly confined to their activities within the church building or on church grounds, and that’s where they intend to leave it.

In James’ description of “pure” and “undefiled” religion, he makes no reference to any of those things done during a normal worship service. Nor does he say anything about theology, or church doctrine, or tithing, though these are vital for having a strong church.

James with one sentence describes true religion with all its tenets in a most powerful and yet simple form that everyone can understand.

Pure religion, according to James, is taking theology and church doctrine wherein is revealed the Person and will of God and putting it into action, by being charitable to others and walking before God in obedience and holiness.

A person may know all about theology and church doctrine, but if the fruit of charity and holiness is not seen in their life they do not have pure religion.

What then is pure and simple religion? It’s loving God and walking in obedience to His Word in order to remain clean and usable for Him, and then going to our neighbor in their affliction and showing the love of God to them. Simply put, pure and undefiled religion is all the theology and doctrine put into practice in our daily lives in the manner James described.

And he tells us a charitable heart and a holy life are the best pictures of pure religion.

James H. Cagle is a resident of Ray City.