Religion

James 1:27 NLT
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Having religion involves having serious commitment to something. Being religious is being highly dedicated to something. Usually we attribute these terms to our faith practice. Many will ask what religion you are. What they are really asking is what church you are part of. Are we Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.

But this verse is not speaking from the world's definition. It is telling us what God's meaning is. In His eyes we have genuine religion not by belonging to a certain church or movement. No, it is about our personal actions.

First we have to be serving others and especially orphans and widows who are in need. Second we have to not let the world system corrupt us.

The first is easy and yet we often ignore it because of the world system. We figure someone else will take care of them for us. We don't have to bother. We do our part by working in the system and the system will take care of them. Or we give plenty at church and they have people to do that.

And that is one way we allow the world to corrupt us. We figure we are giving all we can. But what do we expect to see when we are on the receiving end of that need? Will we be happy with the system taking over or will we expect our brothers and sister's in Christ to be with us?

But l have digressed from the point. I believe God expects us to serve one another and not let the world system do what He has called us to do.