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Note before sharing the devotional: I think this is some form of what I've been wrestling against, for sure in other people that I've noticed this, but also perhaps in myself. When I think of religious people, I immediately think of the Pharisees in Jesus' time on earth. A modern form of Pharisaism might sound something like this: "you didn't get healed?? Well, no wonder! You didn't have enough faith! You need to have faith so you can receive the healing! You are healed! ... You're healed! You just need to work harder and believe stronger!"While faith without doubting is indeed important - and is written in the Bible (Jesus says it in Mark 11:23) - what's important to remember is that this is not a binary truth. Below is a quote from Pastor David Diga Hernandez that popped into my YouTube feed:
I want to say something that you might misunderstand, and some might even think it's a statement of doubt. But it's not; it's a statement of truth. I believe in healing. I believe that miracles are for today. In our services that we hold around the world [and] on our livestreams, we believe for healing miracles, [and] we believe for people to experience God's healing power, of course. But we have to remember that ultimately God is sovereign. And when the miracle doesn't happen when we want it to happen or how we want it to happen, we can't just go right to the default that some do and say, "well, it's because you didn't have enough faith." Sometimes that could be the case. In my experience, most of the time that's not been the case. The person has had faith. We have to learn to trust in the sovereignty of God, even when it comes to the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit, because ultimately He is in control and we can trust Him.
I share the above because we have to remember (I have to remember) that God is in control - and act accordingly. Yes, without faith we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6) but part of what that faith needs to look like is focusing less on on ourselves and more on what He wants us to do: love Him, live holy lives, and help others. Let's not overcomplicate this.
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. James 1:27, ESV
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True Religion
What do you think about when you hear the word religion?
Maybe you picture a church building. Maybe you envision a cross. Maybe you imagine statues or cathedrals or altars or pews. Maybe the thought of religion brings you comfort, or it makes you want to run in the opposite direction.
Here's what the Bible says religion truly is:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27 NIV
True religion in God’s eyes is looking after the hurting and most vulnerable, as well as honoring Him with your life.
You can do this in countless ways. Here are just a few:
Physically: You could deliver groceries to a widow, teach a kid to read or play catch, help a friend in need, or foster or adopt a child (or support those who foster or adopt children).
Financially: You can give generously to ease the financial burden to those who don’t have much support. You could find a local church or charity to donate to, or offer to help with utility bills, kids’ extracurricular activities, or even pay off debt.
Emotionally: You can be the hands and feet of God—by showing up, listening, encouraging, and simply being present.
Spiritually: You can offer spiritual support or prayer to those who could use guidance, direction, or even reminders of what they already know to be true.
James writes that true religion in God’s eyes also involves keeping yourself “from being polluted by the world.” How can you do that? You can trust God’s heart. You can surrender to His ways. You can keep your eyes on Him.
Being “religious” isn’t about a showy facade or a spiritual checklist, but loving God and serving others—which, ultimately, makes us more like Him.
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.27.ESV
Prayer: God, I know there are many hurting and lonely people in the world. Show me how I can be Your hands and feet to serve them. Open my eyes to see the needs of the vulnerable or struggling in my own neighborhood. Help me to love and serve like Jesus did. In Jesus' name, Amen.