James 1:26-27 powerfully communicates its message by what it DOES say and what it DOES NOT say.  Verses 26 and 27 give us two sides of the same coin in order to better help us understand the point.  Verse 26 provides the negative example.  We are told that anyone who considers themselves to be a proper worshipper of God, yet does not control their speech, is delusional about their faithfulness and their worship is false. Verse 27 provides the positive example and explains that acceptable worship involves both selfless ministry AND practical holiness.In comparing both passages, we see that true religion (verse 27) requires two things, yet false religion (verse 26) only requires the lack of one: practical holiness. Why the lack of symmetry between these verses? Why doesn't verse 26 state that false religion lacks selfless sacrifice AND practical holiness? The reason is that God places a primary and essential emphasis on practical holiness, a life that is being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Such an inner transformation is demonstrated by increasingly godly speech, reflecting a work of sanctification taking place in the deepest recesses of our heart.
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