Is Your Faith Worthless?
Dave Riddle - 6/11/2023
Key Passage: James 1:26-27
If anyone considers themselves religious…
James 1:26
Religious = thrēskos: fearing or worshipping God; ceremonious in the worship of God
…their religion is worthless
James 1:26
Worthless, profitless, empty, devoid of value
Same word as 1 Corinthians 15:14
If there is no resurrection your faith is “worthless”
…If you don’t keep a tight reign on your tongue…
James 1:26
We all hold tightly to the resurrection, but how seriously do we take the way we speak?
Pure and undefiled religion…
James 1:27
Pure = katharos: clean (literally and figuratively). Free from anything that soils or corrupts.
Undefiled = amiantos: not defiled. Incorruptible.
Our faith is directly tied to our concern for others
James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion means having concern for vulnerable people.
Orphans and widows in distress.
Doing this requires an investment of time, energy, resources.
See also: James 2:15-17, James 2:26, 1 John 3:17-18
Our Allegiance and Devotion
James 1:27
Keep yourself unstained from the world.
Romans 12:2 - don’t be conformed… be transformed…
What is the product of your heart?
Luke 6:45
What we say and do overflows from our heart.
Your words, actions, and heart are the true indicators of your faith.
Repent. Don’t rationalize.