Real Religion

Sometimes we wonder what is real religion.  What does God really want from us?  We get some answers from James chapter one.  Let's look at a few of these thoughts. 

"Therefore, my beloved brethren:

"Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath...."

"Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."

"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."

And then the final kicker:

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

We must realize that this is not a complete list of what it means to be a Christian.  But there is no question either that these are valuable thoughts to bring us closer to God.  These are action thoughts.  They require that we be genuine people, clean of mind, and serving others.  Being a Christian is not just about doctrine....or going to church...or saying the right words.  It is about all that we are, that we do, that we think....where our heart is.

Have a great week.....a God filled week.....