Memory Verse: “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.” (James 1:27)
Scripture Reading: James 1:17-27
Introduction: It is difficult to keep things pure. The trickling stream that starts down the mountain is about as pure in the sense of being healthful as water can be. However, as it descends it accumulates all manner of things which render it unfit to drink, such as sewage and industrial waste until at least the sea itself must try to “clean up the mess.”
Vast industries have risen whose sole purpose is to make things “pure.” The giant steel industry’s primary job is to, one by one; remove the impurities which surround iron in its original state. Dirt and rock may be separated quite easily, but the final purification must come by fire.
Pure government of any kind is hard to keep pure. It may start with the best intentions and the highest ideals. Nevertheless, adulterations creep in until it becomes despotic and must be overthrown.
Pure religion is both difficult to obtain and to maintain because of our “fleshly” natures. To begin with, we seem to come to the realization early in life that there is a strong relationship between being accepted by God and being “good.” This forestalls some folk in their serious consideration of religion because they don’t feel that they could qualify. First, of course, they must be shown that the quality of sin is immaterial and that “though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” It is plain from this single text that the Lord is able to wipe our “slate” clean and give us a new start—a “pure” start, as we might say.
Now comes the “long haul” of living for Him and maintaining pure minds and deeds—all through Him, of course. Many years ago a man told this story: There was a light house on an island in the straits of Juan de Fuca, between the state of Washington and Vancouver Island. There was no well on the island and the keeper of the light had to have water brought by tugboat periodically, I believe twice a week. At length the government was moved to drill a well. So, a well drilling rig was brought in, together with so many tons of coal to operate it, in due time the shaft was sunk and water was pumped to the top. The lighthouse keeper was delighted, not only with the taste of the water, but with the prospects of having all the water they needed for washing, and so forth. However, since it was all a US Government project, a sample of the water had to be sent in for testing. This was done. When the answer came back the keeper of the light was greatly disappointed, the letter said; “The water is brackish, cap the well.”
It doesn’t take much sin to taint our lives so that the pureness God loves is no longer there.
Lesson Questions:
- From whence cometh every good and perfect gift? James 1:17. Is the Father ever unstable? Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6.
- Since the Lord “begat” us with the word of truth, should we not both live and speak the truth? What were those thus recreated said to be? James 1:18; Revelation 14:4-5.
- What instruction is given regarding hearing and speaking? James 1:19; Romans 12:17-21. What would be the result if these words were heeded? Galatians 6:2-5.
- Does the “wrath of man” fulfill the “righteousness of God?” James 1:20; Ephesians 4:26-27; Galatians 5:19-21.
- What should we lay apart, what receive, and what is the engrafted word able to do? James 1:21; Hebrews 4:12; Acts 13:26, 38-39.
- How may we deceive ourselves? James 1:22.
- To what is a person thus deceived compared to? James 1:23-24. To what does Jesus compare such a person? Luke 6:46-49.
- Discuss the “perfect law of liberty,” does this law give us liberty to do as we please? Galatians 5:13. Upon whom is a blessing pronounced? James 1:25.
- Can a man have a true religion with an unbridled tongue? What does James say of such a man’s religion? James 1:26; Luke 6:45.