The Wise are Truly Religious

In the last part of James chapter 1, Jesus' half-brother continues to encourage his readers toward full maturity in Christ. After encouraging followers of Jesus to be doers of the Word, the last two verses describes what a truly religious person does. Someone who is truly devoted to God controls their tongue, looks after widows and orphans in their distress, and keeps themselves unstained by the world.

It's tempting to make the attributes James describes a to-do list, but when our faith becomes a checklist, Christianity becomes a chore. This isn't a list for us to check-off, but is a description of what maturity in Christ produces in our lives. James reminds his readers of their regular need for the power of the gospel in their lives. Jesus' life demonstrated each of these things mentioned in verse 26 and 27. Jesus' death and resurrection enables us to demonstrate these things, too.Only by "humbly receiving the Word" (v. 21b) are we able to "rid ourselves of moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent." (v. 21a)

When we discover our attempts to love others to be lacking or discouraging, it is an opportunity to reflect on whether we are "doing" in our own power or "being" who God says we are. As we enter this week, embrace the love of God and the good news of what Jesus has done. Watch how it moves you to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.