Unsustained by the World

Scripture: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

Observation: As James begins his discord on faith vs. deeds - ultimately agreeing that salvation is by faith, yet faith is evident by deeds - he first gives a basic definition of "religion". He is using this term to generically address the complementary overlap between Jewish beliefs and Christian faith. James therefore states there are just two indications of pure faith ... care for the disadvantaged, and avoiding reliance upon earthly ways and treasures.

This is consistent with many teaching of scripture, most obviously Micah 6:8, which says that only requires from people to seek justice, love mercy (aka care for the disadvantaged), and walk humbly with the Lord (rely upon God and not the world). James' summary also introduces the rest of his message, which is that faith is evident by actions, and those actions being our relationship to two specific issues ... those in need around us, and the overall culture and expectations of the non-heavenly kingdom on earth.

Application: If I were to be judged on just these criteria - my care for the disadvantaged, and my reliance upon earthly ways and treasures - how would I be doing?

I fear the honest answer to that question. I care in my heart for the disadvantaged, but in truth I do little for them directly. Yes, I give money and I pray. Yes, I think often about and hate the issues that have created such iniquity and conditions in our society. But I don't really act. And yes, certainly am not greedy for wealth, and I thank the Lord for all blessings in my life, recognizing him and not the world or my earthly ability as my provider of all things. However, I enjoy vacations and comforts. I have pride in my home and family and my job.

So where is the line where I corrupt and defile my faith before God? I care about those in distress, and I sincerely know that I am sustained by God alone.

I could do more. I could personally act more, and I could support related ministry work more. While I thank the Lord for my blessings, I could have less pride in them. I especially want to know that I am sustained by God alone, and not by this world, which I know has fallen into dark and desperate times due to a lack of moral alignment to the Lord.

Prayer: Abba, Yahweh, Yeshua, Jesus, Adonai, my Lord and father in heaven, how great is your name in all the earth. I am sustained only by you and by your love and promises. Please forgive me for times when my faith is less than pure. May I be your hands this day in giving daily bread to others, as you provide my daily bread to myself and my family. May your kingdom dominate and take over this earth, so that the ways of this earth fall away. And please forgive my shortcomings and failures and sins, as I set behind any wrong done to me this day. Thank you, my Lord and my God. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.