Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
How many times have I said it? "It's about relationship, not religion." I truly believe that Christianity is all about a relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ. Yet James, the half-brother of Jesus, speaks of religion as something God accepts. It isn't a religion of following a long list of do's and don'ts. It is a religion of caring for those who are most needy and caring enough for oneself to stay clean - to not be polluted by the world.
Interestingly, the Greek word in this passage that refers to not being polluted is also translated as "without blemish or defect." This same description is used in the Levitical law for any animal that is to be given as an offering. The animal was to be perfect - without blemish or defect. Isn't that what Jesus is? The sacrificial Lamb without blemish or defect? So... what I hear James saying is that Jesus is the most religious person who ever walked the face of the earth, and we should strive to become like Him - blameless, perfect, without defect.
Will I ever get there? Will I ever be "religious" enough to say I am not polluted by the world?
Not in this lifetime!
My only hope is to be made clean by the blood of the Perfect Lamb. Only He can wash me white as snow. So what does religion require? Relationship with the most religious One of all.
Lord, Jesus, wash me clean for I have been polluted by the world. You are the only man who can help me. Make me holy as You are holy. Make me religious as You are religious.