Summary of the Bible in 66 Posts: 59. Religion- James

 James 1:27 ESV

 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 doesn't so much write about how to get saved in the first place. Instead, he emphasises how we ought to live having been saved. This verse is a good summary.

Having been purified by the blood of Jesus, we're to walk in his footsteps and live pure lives. One way we can do this is to show care for widows/single mothers and orphans/needy children. We don't have to just give to charity, but to be charitable and caring to the marginalised in our midst.

It's not enough to simply do good. We need to be good. It's not enough to do nice things, if we're nasty at heart.

We're not to be corrupted by the world. To be charitable shouldn't be a way to make a quick buck out of the kindness of others. Big charity bosses shouldn't be living greedily. 

'Dear Lord, we praise you for purifying us and ask that you would help us to live pure, Christlike lives. In his name we pray, amen'.

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