“Give me Jesus, but not religion.” This popular refrain is pervasive in the denominational world, and increasingly in churches of Christ. A Sister once rebuked me after a sermon for saying that Christianity is the one true religion (John 14:6). She alleged, “Christianity isn’t a religion, but a relationship.” Sadly, she 1) misunderstood the biblical term, “religion” and 2) overlooked or never read James 1:27. Let’s consider it…
“Religion…”
Some think it is, but “religion” isn’t a bad word. As always, a definition of terms is necessary. A simplistic online definition is, “a system of faith or worship.” In examining the original Greek, you begin to find that “religion” is more broadly connected to “your response to who you think God is and what He wants.” In other words, it’s what you do because of who God is. Christianity isn’t only a philosophical truth to believe inwardly, but also an ethical lifestyle to live outwardly. It’s “the outward display of an inward faith.”
“Give me Jesus, but not religion” often stems from frustration with expectations of one’s lifestyle or the aforementioned “system” (i.e. proper worship). Seemingly, a relationship with Jesus and the benefits of His sacrifice are desired, but His expectations are not. These individuals claim to have faith, but are unwilling to demonstrate it (religion). James later asks, “What good is it…if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” (2:14). The implication is that a person lacking religion is actually lacking faith.
“…that is pure and undefiled…”
Granted, if there’s such a thing as pure and undefiled religion, it necessitates that the opposite can also be true. On one hand, folks that are averse to religion need to accept that it’s biblical. On the other hand, folks that claim to be religious, also need to ask whether what they’re practicing is actually impure and defiled. For example, religion is impure when… 1) A person does not bridle their tongue (Jas. 1:26). 2) Practiced outwardly, but having a heart far from God (Matt. 15:7-9). 3) One thinks more highly of themselves than they ought to think (Rom. 12:14). Religion isn’t only what one practices in response to what they think about God, but also what one thinks about themselves and others because of what they think about God. Jesus contrasted the highly-religious-Pharisee (who arrogantly prayed while comparing himself to others) with the (considered to be irreligious) tax collector who said, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:9-14).
“…before God the Father…”
Some may be, but not all religion is defiled. We must be careful to not throw out the baby with the bath water. Since God’s word tells us what pure religion is, it means that it exists.
First, realize God is the observer of our religion. Pure religion goes before God. Pure religion isn’t man-made, for man’s purposes, or only for man’s involvement. Rather, it’s God-ordained and God-sought. It is either God-approved or God-rejected. Jesus tells us that God is seeking true worshipers (John 4:23).
Of extreme importance is that true religion isn’t about observation from man (Matt. 6:1,5,16), but God’s observation of man (John 4:23-24). It’s something He is connected to and something He takes pleasure in (Phil. 4:18-20; 2 Cor. 2:15). God observes our religion and sees it as a measure of our love for Him.
Second, realize God is the focus of our religion. Our religion is an outgrowth of that which (Who) we put our faith in. Because we believe God is who He says He is, we respond with Him as our entire focal point. Sometimes religion persists purely for the betterment of individuals or society. While often a side-effect, it should not be what motivates it. Rather, its sole motivation is to bring honor and glory to God, not self (1 Cor. 10:31) – whether in planned acts of worship, intentional acts of service, or by holy living.
Just as faith comes by hearing God’s words (Rom. 10:17), pure religion only seeks guidance and approval in the words of God – because He is what it’s all about. Just a few verses prior, James says, “…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls…be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (1:21-22).
“…is this to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world…”
It’s unlikely that James is saying that all of religion is limited to these two things. Rather, when examining your religion, ask, “Am I concerned with the needs of widows and orphans, and with holiness?” Because these are things that God is concerned with: people with the greatest needs (seen in His plan to save sinners) and holiness (seen in His character). They sum up what God does and who God is. Each are expectations of selflessness – nothing is necessarily earned or gained by them. They require sacrifice and reveal an attitude that’s fully submitted to the Lord as King, instead of self.
Visiting orphans and widows isn’t simply saying, “hello.” Thayer defines the term, “to look upon or after, inspect, examine.” What’s being described is legitimate concern for their whole being. And not only making sure they have money, but sacrificially serving to ensure needs are met physically, emotionally, and spiritually.. In the minds of worldly, selfish people, widows and orphans have nothing to offer. But pure religion isn’t adulterated by greed, power, or notoriety. It’s shaped by a desire to be like God.
Christian, is your religion driven by the benefits it brings you; family tradition or nostalgia; a fear of losing relationships? Preacher, is your ministry driven by self-seeking pursuits – notoriety in the brotherhood, publication of books, invitations to speak, etc? These are symptoms of a religion that may be defiled by selfishness. Widows and orphans don’t have these things to offer, but presence in their lives is a testament to pure and undefiled religion (and ministry). An undefiled mind transformed by the gospel is like Christ’s – putting others (even widows and orphans) first (Phil. 2).
Maybe the greatest resistance to religious teaching happens at the call to leave sin. A call to holiness is often seen as an exercise in judgy-ness, lumping “holiness” into the “bad word” category. But it’s not about being “holier-than-thou” or a “goody-two-shoes.” Instead, staying unspotted from the world is evidence of a pure religion. Most importantly, holiness is concerned with emulating the character of God, not just the outward practices of God. We’re called to be walking pictures of Him outwardly (Rom. 8:29), and at our core, inwardly. Religion that’s purely concerned with externals will be seen through by the world – and by God.
A failure to be like God in holiness prevents pure and undefiled religion. A failure to be like God in holiness hinders the gospel’s furtherance. And of greatest personal consequence, a failure to be like God in holiness removes our salvation in eternity.