Continuing in James

James 1:27  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. NLT


I've always considered the word religion to be sort of a dirty little word. "Christianity is a relationship" seems to be my set response when people talk about the Christian "religion" but here in James it used twice in two verses (1:26 and 27) and means the beliefs that we as Christians agree to. So another way of putting it would be what the Amplified Bible says; religion is the external outward act of an inner faith and that caring for widows and orphans (those in our culture with little or no ability to care for themselves) and keeping ourselves from allowing the world to contaminate us and stain us (put it's mark on us) is practicing Christianity in a pure way.


This of course relates to justice issues in that our business needs to be taking care of those who can not take care of themselves. It's interesting that nothing else is mentioned here. Just simply caring for orphans and widows. That is pure and genuine religion! Want to know if someone really has a heart after God? Do they give to those who can't care for themselves? If they are simply giving to building projects or even evangelistic crusades aren't they missing something key to practicing the Christian faith? Of course I am looking at my own heart and giving while writing this and I'm certainly not advocating cutting back on any type of giving (especially not tithing!) - just wondering if I haven't missed it a bit, wondering if I haven't been as balanced as I should be. Maybe I shouldn't only give when an issue tugs at my heart but more intentionally all the time to "widow and orphan" type projects.  


I know that November is Adoption Awareness Month. We are past the place in our lives to consider adopting but if you have a pull at your heart to do something personally to care for an orphan there are lots of resources for you out there to explore. iwannabakeyoubirthdaycake.blogspot.com is a blog recently started by my daughter Sarah to share her adoption story, encourage others who have adopted and educate the rest of us. Adoption is expensive and many couples seek creative ways to help fund their adoptions. A new organization called Both Hands Foundation is funding adoption while serving widows at the same time.