One key to studying the Holy Scriptures is to learn Bible definitions of words rather than assume that a modern meaning is sufficient. For instance, today some do not like to call Christianity a religion, meaning empty man-made traditions. Sadly, that redefines the word and also contradicts one of the writers of the Bible itself. This unfortunate idea tends to prejudice us against James using that same word. In
James 1:27 he speaks of pure and undefiled religion before God. To prejudice ourselves against the word religion tends to make James look like an idiot for using the word to describe Christianity. So, what then does James describe as this pure religion? Caring for orphans and widows and keeping ourselves unpolluted by the world. We can’t have Christianity without the religion. Real Christianity includes the essentials of pure religion.
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.
