Studies from the Book of James

"Virtual or Actual Religion"? James 1: 26-27

One of the most exciting advances in modern technology is what is known as, Virtual Reality, which makes it possible for you to feel as if you are there in a particular set of circumstances or situation.

They can put you in an aeroplane cockpit and simulate a flight, and you can get all the sensations, all the feelings and all the emotions, as though you were actually flying the plane. It is not real but you feel like it is real, it is not actual it is Virtual but it seems like it is the real thing.

In the realm of the Spiritual, there are many dear folks and all that they have is a Virtual Religion, a counterfeit Christianity that they consider to be the real thing. It feels like the real thing but it is Virtual and not Actual.

James 1:26 if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

There are those who consider themselves to be Religious but theirs is not Biblical Christianity. Jesus said--

Matt 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

John put it like this; 1John 2:19 "they went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us.

They were counterfeits. How are genuine Christians different?

True Christianity is not expressed in terms of dead formality but a living faith, which is woven into every aspect of life.

True believers not only know Christ, they live Christ. They sow consistency and they also show character, which is displayed by conversation, by concern, and by conduct.

False religion deceives many, while True religion delights God.

Verse 26---

A survey might reveal a religious person as one who, believes in God, attends church services, reads the Bible and gives money for the Lord's work.

James gives a different definition. Practicality is where James is at . . . not show!

James, in this first chapter, was concerned about certain dangers.

1. The danger of Blaming God when one is tempted. Verse 13.

The words Religious and Religion are seldom found in the Bible. In fact, they are not found at all in the Old Testament, and only five times in the New Testament. The word Religion carries the idea of outward religious service or ceremony.

There are those, who hear the word of God and they seem to respond in a positive way. They move in Christian circles, attend a good church, carry a Bible and wear the right kind of label, but in fact they are deceiving themselves, because they are still in an unregenerate state –they are not saved.

Many so-called Religions in the world can claim to have earnest, zealous followers, who are sincere in all that they are doing. But neither the movement nor its followers can be called Christian, just because they conform to certain outward forms of ritual. The fact of the matter is that they deceive themselves.

Therefore, among the people of God, there are those who have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof.

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

The form was there, the name was there, the reputation was there; but there was no life, no reality. The Pharisees were scrupulous in observing religious rites and ceremonies. They were into praying and fasting in a big way, but often their religion was a vain delusion.

"Yes" the man replied", but there is only one drawback, I never get to a place of worship". This man spent his whole life within the four walls of this beautiful shrine, yet he never got to a place of worship.

How often do we get to the place of worship where we worship the Lord with reality? Where we love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, mind, and strength and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

With bluntness James exposes the unreality of a mere religious profession. Let no man boast of his religion, if he cannot control his tongue.

Try as he may, a man will eventually betray himself with his mouth.

Matt 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh

Jesus gives us a working practical principle to apply to our lives. "The tongue will inevitably reveal what is on the inside." True religion in the heart controls every part of life and body, even the tongue/speech.

Matt 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth-good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth-evil things.

36 But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Few things give a clearer indication as to the state of a person’s heart than the words, which they speak. We may not be able to discern the condition of a tree by its roots, but we can draw our conclusions when we examine its fruit.

James makes it very clear in this epistle that the true test of a person’s religion—is not that he is unable to speak his mind but has the ability to hold his tongue.

James sees the tongue as something that needs to be restrained.

The Psalmist said.

Ps 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. (KJV)

An uncontrolled tongue is the evidence of a heart that is not under the control of the Saviour.

When the meeting ended, she came up to him and said very sharply, "Mr. Wesley, the strings on your bow tie are much too long. It's an offence to me!" Wesley asked if any of the ladies present happened to have a pair of scissors in their purse.

"Are you sure they're all right now?" "Yes, that's much better." she replied.

"Then, let me have those scissors a moment," said Wesley. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I also gave you a bit of correction. I must tell you, madam that your tongue is an offence to me - it's too long! Please stick it out . . . I'd like to take some off it"

The wrong use of the tongue can be so hurtful. How often God’s work is hindered and His people hurt by the use of a carnal and uncontrolled tongue?.

How we need to pray with David

Ps 141:Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Two things happen when a person fails to control their tongue, he deceives himself; and his religion is worthless.

To the God, who searches the heart, superficial religious observance is utterly worthless. A worthless religion is futile and fruitless. Words and actions that do not spring from faith are worthless. One day they shall be consumed in the fire of God’s judgement.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

2. A Religion That is Commended

James 1:27 pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

He gives us the marks of the real thing and what God accepts.

When Christianity is genuine, certain things will be displayed to show that there is reality.

A person can only be pure before God when they are Saved and washed in the Blood of Jesus who cleanses us from all our sin.

Isa 1:17 learn to do well seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

There must be a practical demonstration of the Love of God in our hearts and of the Love of God that we preach.

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

James is saying that Actual Christianity will express itself in practical concern

James is not saying that good works save us. Being saved never results from good works, but being saved does result in good works.

The Greek word for visit espiskeptomai -- means to see, to inspect, and to look after. In fact it’s the root of our word "Bishop", which means overseer

James is saying that we are to be concerned about those, who are suffering and sorrowful, and concerned about those, who are going through hard times and for those who need to be protected and cared for.

No amount of Church attendance will absolve Christians from the responsibility of proving the reality of their faith by demonstrating Practical Concern.

Said a wise man to one in deep sorrow, "I did not come to comfort you;

God only can do that; but I did come to say how deeply and tenderly I feel for you in your affliction." Tryon Edwards

V 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (KJV)

They keep themselves Holy in the midst of a corrupt and polluted world, by controlling their Personal holiness and staying away from compromising situations.

James is not saying that we are to stay out of the world, and live in isolation. He is talking about insulation.

To be spotted by the world and its system does not mean we lose our salvation, but we loose all that we have lived for. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, is a prime example of how sin can move in on us.

1. Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom 2. Lot was living in Sodom 3. Lot was sitting in the gate socializing 4. Lot lost his testimony

We might say he lost everything though he was saved.

How many Christians have those words written on their lives? Christians whose lives are spotted and stained by sin loose much of the value of the Christian life. True religion resembles the life of Abraham who separated himself from a society without God.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1A Religion that is Condemned.

A Virtual Religion where-

2. A Religion That is Commended

Holiness has love for its essence, humility for its clothing, the good of others as its employment, and the honor of God as its end.

Nathaniel Emmons (1745-1840)

Henceforth may no profane delight

Divide this consecrated soul

Possess it Thou who hast the Right

As Lord and Master of the whole.