James 1 - The 1:27 Project

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)

James started his epistle talking about having joy and being steadfast in trials. He also highlighted the process of sinning - lured and enticed by his own desire -> desire conceived -> sin is born -> sin is fully grown -> death.

Then he talked about being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. And he ended the chapter with exaltation to be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

The last verse caught my attention.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God....

He said that after he defined what is a worthless religion, suggesting that the opposite of such is a religion that is pure and undefiled before God. In other words, either your faith is a worthless one or one that is praiseworthy before God. There is no in-between.

And he went on to elaborate further...

is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Recently, it has become quite difficult to keep oneself unstained from the world. From both without and within the church, there is much influence of the world. We are so easily persuaded and swayed and numbed to the so-called norms of the world, but these norms were not even norms a decade ago!

During a JY discussion about dressing, some students said that it is okay to see people wearing short skirts (for example) outside church and they feel that it is okay too; but seeing people wearing short skirts in church, they would feel uncomfortable.

But why the difference?

Is it because when we are in church, we are made more aware of God's presence and therefore become more sensitive to how He might think?

And when we are outside church, we are already de-sensitized and don't think much of some of these "norms" that are creeping into our mind and taking over what we believe in? It is really scary, if you really think about it. These are the "stains" that Elder James was talking about when he exhorts us to keep ourselves unstained from the world. We know that once we are "stained", it is difficult to remove them! It is better that we avoid getting such "stains" in the first place.

How do we keep ourselves unstained then? Do we stay away from the world?

No, for there is a purpose for us in this world; but we need to be in the world, but not of the world, and the only way

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)

We need to receive the Word of God with meekness, knowing that this Word can wash us and save us. And then

be doers of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22)

We need to put into action what we have heard, and what we do know. We cannot say, "We know, we know, but it's just... so hard." and then stop there.

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:25)

We need to trust that we will be blessed, and that He will help us.

The other point about a religion that is pure and undefiled before God is on charity. It's funny how Elder James highlighted this point about visiting the orphans and widows in their affliction, as though it is of the same importance as keeping oneself unstained from the world?

I certainly think so! Although, sad to say, it is something we often neglect.

We must remember how Jesus came to earth to save the sinners, for it is the sick that need a doctor, and not those who are well. Jesus always went all out for the outcasts (the physically disabled, the demon-possessed, the tax-collectors, the sinners) of the society. How can we not follow after His footsteps?

How can we today show some love and charity?

(James 1:27 is still something that I am still working on... both the keeping unstained and the charity part. Let's make this our 1:27 project? :))