With James 1:26-27 we come to the fifth paragraph of this epistle. Again we remember that the Holy Spirit inspired purpose for this epistle is to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life. Even so, this fifth paragraph gives counsel concerning an unbridled tongue in relation to a pure religious life. The contextual situation and setting for the paragraph is established through the opening line of the paragraph -- “If any man among you seem to be religious.” Consisting of only two sentences in two verses, this short paragraph presents a clear contrast between a faulty religious life that is lacking in spiritual substance and a faithful religious life that is rooted in spiritual substance. Indeed, verse 26 closes with the statement, “This man’s religious is vain;” whereas verse 27 opens with the statement, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.” In this context, the words “religious” and “religion” refer specifically to a diligent observance and dedicated performance of religious activities, duties, and services. As such, these words refer to the external, outward conduct of an individual’s service for the Lord; whereas the words “godly” and “godliness” refer to the inward character of an individual’s service to the Lord. In James 1:26-27 there is a contrast established between a religious life that is vain, being spiritually profitless because it is performed without the spiritual substance of godly character, and a religious life that is valuable, being spiritually pure because it is rooted in the spiritual substance of godly character.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Pastor Scott Markle was raised in a Christian home, and received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior at the age of four. He has served the Lord his God and Savior in pastoral ministry since 1992. He has served as the pastor of Melvin Baptist Church, a small country church in the...