James 1:26 – 27 “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (Berean Study Bible)
“Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self – deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” (James 1:26-27, The Message)
I received some horrible information from a pastor friend! A kind homeless man in Champaign, Illinois, who had been helping other homeless people and sharing the Gospel with them was beaten to death by three hoodlums. This man was known to be a gentle soul who would share whatever he had with those who needed it. Nobody had any explanation for this attack, aside from the fact that the man was elderly and could not defend himself.
“But,” you say, “the people who attacked that poor homeless man weren’t religious.” Oh? Jesus told us that we should assess people by their actions. You will act in according with your beliefs. Matthew 7:17 – 20 “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Whatever you value most, whatever you meditate upon, whatever you think about, those things are the objects of your worship. In this case, whoever attacked this helpless old man valued violence and murder. Being of a violent nature, these three assailants were looking for someone to beat up and terrorize, and they found a victim. They might even have gotten an adrenaline rush from listening to the man’s moans as he died.
There are many of us who would never consider assaulting someone. But wait! Does that let us off the hook morally? Many people can speak very convincingly and if you merely listen to them, you will think that here is a perfect specimen, a loving and gracious person! But what happens when the talk stops and it’s time for action?
When we finish our grand speeches or our Facebook or Instagram posts or Tweets, what do we do next? Are we reaching out to the homeless and loveless? Are we guarding against the corruption of the world? Are we actually helping those with whom we sympathize, or are we just accusing anyone who fails to echo our sentiments?
The Bible admonishes us repeatedly to guard our hearts. We are easily swayed and easily corrupted. Today, let us examine ourselves and make sure that our religion is not merely hot air.
PRAYER: Father God, help us! We are easily confused, easily swayed, easily led. We are quick to judge others and very slow to examine ourselves. Lord, help us to truly follow you and to help those to whom you wish to send us. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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