INTRODUCTION

The word religion has unfortunately earned a bad reputation because of man’s wickedness. Men have developed phrases such as “Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship,” or “No religion, just a relationship.” While it is true that Christianity is based upon a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bible also refers to such a thing called “pure” religion. Thus, most religion is man-made with the only exception being the purest form of worship directed solely at the preeminence of Christ. The word religion merely deals with what a man believes to be true. Religion is not evil in and of itself. It can be “vain” (James 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
See All...) or it can be “pure” (James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
See All...). Religion that offers no change of heart is vain (James 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
See All...), but religion that changes a man’s heart before God is “pure” (James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Read Matthew 7:20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
  See All.... Pure religion produces good works (Matthew 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  See All...; Matthew 25:35-40 [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
  See All...) and will change the way you live (Romans 12:1-2 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
  See All...; 1 Timothy 5:22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): How has what you believe changed the way you live? Has it changed how you speak, love, pray, give, or treat others? Has it changed the way you live Monday through Saturday or only upon Sunday when you are with other believers at church?
• According to James 1:26-27 [26] If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. [27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
  See All..., how can you discern if your religion is vain or pure? Which is yours?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you discern whether or not your religion is pure.
• Ask the Lord to give you a pure heart before Him.

HYMN

COME, WE THAT LOVE THE LORD

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