James Teaches Religion and Faith
James 1:26-2:9
James 1:26 If
anyone thinks he is religious and does
not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this
person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is
pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is
this: to visit orphans and widows in their
affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from
the world.
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
“ ‘These people honor me with their
lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”
Matthew 15:8
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
Galatians 3:3 Are
you so foolish? After beginning
with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain
your goal by human effort?
…
10 All who rely on observing the law are under a
curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who
does not continue to do everything written in
the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one is
justified before God by the law…
…
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
24 So
the law was put in charge to lead us to
Christ that we might be justified by faith.
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
All of us have become like one who is
unclean, and all our righteous acts are like
filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like
the wind our sins sweep us away.
Isaiah 64:6
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
2 Corinthians 5:21 For
our sake he made him to be
sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.
REFLECTION 8: Pure religion relies on self
REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ
REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ
James 2:1My
brothers, show no partiality as you
hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord
of glory.
REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ
Luke 6:45 The
good person out of the good
treasure of his heart produces good, and the
evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil,
for out of the abundance of the heart his
mouth speaks.
REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ
“Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
Psalm 50:7
REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ
I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
11
REFLECTION 9: Pure Faith relies on Christ