This week as I was praying about what to write, the Lord led me to James 1:27 which says this: “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.”
This scripture actually gives us some amazing insight into the heart of true worship. It shows how God desires us to express our devotion by actively engaging in acts of compassion and righteousness. And to fully understand this scripture, we have to take a closer look at that word “religion”.
The Greek word used for “religion” in this verse, is the word “threskeia.” And Threskeia goes beyond the conventional understanding of religious activities. It’s this idea of expressing worship to God in every aspect of our lives. It encompasses a lifestyle that reflects our devotion to God in all we do, a worship that is genuine, pure, and untainted by the world.
The first aspect of true worship highlighted in James 1:27 is the act of visiting orphans and widows in their affliction. This is a powerful reminder of God’s heart for the vulnerable and marginalized. When we seek to care for the broken, we emulate the compassionate nature of our Heavenly Father, who faithfully cares for those in need. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of caring for the least of these (Matthew 25:40), reinforcing this idea that our worship includes loving and reaching out to those society often overlooks.
The second aspect of true worship emphasizes the need to keep oneself unstained by the world. This involves living a life of righteousness through Jesus Christ. It’s seeking to pursue the things of God verses the things of the world. When we choose to walk in obedience, that’s worship. When we choose to show love, that’s worship. When we choose to bite our tongues instead of speaking harsh words, that’s worship. Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. True worship involves a conscious effort to align our lives with God’s standards and to be a light in the midst of darkness.
James 1:27 invites us to redefine our understanding of worship. It challenges us to view worship not as something confined to the inside of a church building, but as a dynamic expression of our love for God in every aspect of our lives. As we embrace the marginalized and live holy lives, we participate in a worship that resonates with the heart of God. May our lives be a true reflection of pure and undefiled worship, a “threskeia” that honors our Heavenly Father in all we do.
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