A Perfect And Undefiled Religion

Devotion for Sunday July 29, 2018

Sing A&M 328 – A Charge To Keep I Have

Topic: A Perfect And Undefiled Religion

Text: James 1:27

Caring for the needy, the poor, the less privilege the destitute and the dejected is one of the duties expected of us who are Christians. In the present day church, we have a lot of these set of people and some of them even summon courage to share their challenges with us. Apostle James enjoined us to pay more attention to their need as believers. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case; instead of attending to the needy in the present day church, most Christians help only the rich because they are the ones that can pay them back or also help them when they are in need too, leaving the needy to their faith.

How do we respond to the needy among us? How do we treat the widows, orphans and the destitute among us today? Is serving God through humanity our religion today? Is it the religion of the best dress and cliques of personalities in same class? By not helping the needy in the church, we are directly or indirectly telling them “go the Lord will help you.” James’ opinion is that if we claim to be religious but fail in caring for the needy among us; we are just hypocrites who wash outside of a cup but inside is very dirty.

The religion some of us practice today is that of rich sharing with the wealthy while the poor Christians continue in their pains. Whenever we practice the principle of welfare, we are showing and practicing the “pure religion” James posited (James 1:27). Our Lord Jesus Christ noted that “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus Christ made it a priority (a must do) for all believers to care for the needy and that He will base His judgment on how well you care for the less privileged people among you (Matthew 25:31-46).

Food for Thought: we were created to do good works that includes taking care of the needy and the poor among us.

Memory verse: Mathew 25:40

Prayer point: Grant me the grace, O Lord my God to help the needy who come to me and direct me to as many who desire my comfort.