Pure Religion is Living the Gospel

Living the Gospel

A misunderstanding is that the Gospel is not about religion. But that contradicts the definition in James 1:26-28. Pure religion is living the Gospel not just preaching it. It takes the Gospel seriously by loving our most vulnerable neighbors in very practical terms. Most people think that religion is the heavy burden of tradition, rituals, special clothing and holy-sounding titles. It is that “religion” that people react against when they claim that Christianity is not a religion. Let’s not be swayed by popular definitions that contradict the Bible. James’ definition of pure religion is the opposite of the religion of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-12). Pure religion puts the Gospel into action by relieving people of burdens. The most religious among us are not those who love rituals, but those who humble themselves and live the Gospel by serving.