Pure Religion

Pure Religion

Introduction
James defines pure religion in concrete terms: disciplined speech, compassionate action, and unstained holiness before God (James 1:26–27).

A Living Picture of Pure Religion
Jesus’ story of the Samaritan frames the entire discussion (Luke 10:30–37). A wounded traveler lies helpless. Two men who wore religious titles notice him and keep moving. A Samaritan stops, draws near, binds wounds with oil and wine, lifts the man onto his own animal, and pays for his care. This is the pulse of pure religion: reverence for God that expresses itself in sacrificial mercy toward a neighbor who cannot repay.

When Religion Becomes Useless
James warns that religion can become empty. Worship and routine may continue, yet yield no fruit heaven recognizes (James 1:26). Jesus addressed this danger with piercing clarity. Lips can honor while hearts drift; human rules can be treated as divine mandates, and the result is vain worship (Matthew 15:7–9). Deeds done in the name of the Lord can still arise from lawlessness; impressive spiritual activity never substitutes for simple, steady obedience (Matthew 7:21–23). God measures religion at the level of the heart and by conformity to His will.

The First Mark: A Bridled Tongue
James names the tongue first because speech reveals the heart’s direction (James 1:26). Scripture calls for strong measures: “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle” (Psalm 39:1). A good life requires guarded words: “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit” (Psalm 34:12–13). Jesus declares that every careless word will be accounted for; words justify and words condemn (Matthew 12:36–37). Such weight calls for daily discipline: bringing the body under control so the messenger does not disqualify the message (1 Corinthians 9:27). Later James will describe the tongue’s power to bless and to burn; the wise believer trains it for blessing (James 3:2–10). Pure religion sounds like truth, gentleness, integrity, and promise-keeping on Monday as surely as on Sunday.

The Second Mark: Compassionate Care
“Pure and undefiled religion before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). “Visit” carries the idea of attentive presence: seeing needs, entering burdens, and providing concrete help. Micah clarifies heaven’s priorities: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God (Micah 6:7–8). Job opens his ledger of mercy—feeding the fatherless, clothing the poor, strengthening the widow—and calls neglect intolerable (Job 31:16–22). Jesus’ Samaritan points the way: notice, draw near, bind wounds, carry, pay, return. Compassion that moves toward need is the family likeness of God’s children (Matthew 5:8).

The Third Mark: Unstained Holiness
James completes the picture: keep oneself “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). The new birth sets a new pattern; those born of God refuse a life of continual sin (1 John 5:18, ESV). Affection governs purity, so the heart must turn from the world’s allurements (1 John 2:15–17). Separation is practical: “Come out, be separate… do not touch what is unclean,” and then pursue ongoing cleansing—flesh and spirit—perfecting holiness in reverent fear (2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1). The atmosphere of pure religion is moral clarity, clean hands, and a guarded heart.

Before the Face of God
James emphasizes that this religion is “before God and the Father” (James 1:27). The Lord sees the heart in worship, the motive in service, the pattern in speech, and the hidden choices in private. Applause from people never authenticates a life; God’s approval does. Living “before His face” unifies the whole person: the tongue blesses, the hands serve, and the soul stays clean.

Becoming and Remaining Unspotted
Grace provides a beginning and a way forward. Sins are washed away in baptism, when we call on His name (Acts 22:16), and we rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). As we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus keeps cleansing; confession opens the floodgates of mercy (1 John 1:7, 9). This rhythm—washed, walking, confessing, cleansed—sustains pure religion across a lifetime.

Pure Religion Sermon Outline:

• Title: Pure Religion

• Text: James 1:26–27

• Introduction

  • Pure religion: disciplined speech, compassionate action, unstained holiness (James 1:26–27).

• I. A Living Picture of Pure Religion

  • The Samaritan’s compassion in action (Luke 10:30–37).

• II. When Religion Becomes Useless

  • Lips and heart misaligned; man-made rules exalted (Matthew 15:7–9).

  • Activity without obedience rejected (Matthew 7:21–23).

  • James’ warning about self-deception (James 1:26).

• III. The First Mark: A Bridled Tongue

  • Guarded mouth and honest speech (Psalm 39:1; Psalm 34:12–13).

  • Judgment of words; daily discipline (Matthew 12:36–37; 1 Corinthians 9:27).

  • The tongue’s power (James 3:2–10).

• IV. The Second Mark: Compassionate Care

  • Visit orphans and widows—attentive presence and practical aid (James 1:27).

  • Justice, mercy, humility (Micah 6:7–8).

  • Job’s ledger of mercy (Job 31:16–22).

  • The Samaritan pattern of action (Luke 10:30–37).

• V. The Third Mark: Unstained Holiness

  • New birth rejects a pattern of sin (1 John 5:18, ESV).

  • Guarded affections (1 John 2:15–17).

  • Separation and ongoing cleansing (2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1).

• VI. Before the Face of God

  • God’s approval governs worship, service, and holiness (James 1:27).

• VII. Becoming and Remaining Unspotted

  • Washed in baptism; new life begun (Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4).

  • Walking in the light; continual cleansing (1 John 1:7, 9).

Call to Action
Examine your religion before God. Set a guard over your mouth and make restitution where your words have wounded. Choose one afflicted neighbor and move toward that need this week with Samaritan-like mercy. Renounce the world’s grip; step into the light with confession. If you have not begun the new life, obey the gospel and be baptized into Christ today. If you have wandered, return to the Father who receives and cleanses.

Key Takeaways

• Pure religion unites disciplined speech, merciful action, and unstained holiness (James 1:26–27).

• Words matter eternally; train the tongue with Scripture and daily discipline (Matthew 12:36–37; Psalm 34:12–13; 1 Corinthians 9:27).

• Compassion goes toward affliction and provides concrete help (Luke 10:30–37; Job 31:16–22; Micah 6:8).

• Holiness requires separated affections and ongoing cleansing (1 John 2:15–17; 2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1; 1 John 1:7, 9).

• Baptism begins the unstained walk; confession sustains it (Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 John 1:7, 9).

Scripture Reference List

• James 1:26–27 — Definition of pure and undefiled religion.

• Luke 10:30–37 — Samaritan’s compassion as a living model.

• Matthew 15:7–9 — Heart-drift and man-made traditions render worship vain.

• Matthew 7:21–23 — Activity without obedience is rejected by Christ.

• Psalm 39:1 — Guarding the mouth to avoid sin.

• Psalm 34:12–13 — A good life requires restrained, truthful speech.

• Matthew 12:36–37 — Judgment according to words spoken.

• 1 Corinthians 9:27 — Daily discipline to avoid disqualification.

• James 3:2–10 — The tongue’s power and necessity of control.

• Micah 6:7–8 — Justice, mercy, humility prioritized over mere sacrifice.

• Job 31:16–22 — Concrete care for the poor, widow, and fatherless.

• Matthew 5:8 — The pure in heart see God.

• 1 John 5:18 (ESV) — Those born of God refuse a life of ongoing sin.

• 1 John 2:15–17 — Guard affections from the world’s pull.

• 2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1 — Separation from uncleanness and continual cleansing.

• Acts 22:16 — Sins washed away in baptism while calling on His name.

• Romans 6:3–4 — Baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection; newness of life.

• 1 John 1:7, 9 — Walking in the light and continual cleansing through confession.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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