Real Religion

Introduction

A. Happy Father’s Day. So many people today don’t read or understand the Bible. This is not because they don’t have a Bible. The Bible is present in almost every home in America. The problem is that it is not read. A few years ago, a test of Bible knowledge was given to five classes of high school seniors. Most of them failed the exam completely! Some were so confused that they thought Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers, or that the gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John. Others said that Eve was created from an apple, and that the stories Jesus used in teaching were called parodies. More than 80 percent of the pupils could not complete such familiar quotations as “Many are called but few are (chosen)”; or “a soft answer turns away (wrath).”

B. A Gallup poll conducted some years ago revealed that 60 percent of Americans did not know what “the Holy Trinity” was. Sixty-six percent couldn’t say who delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and 79 percent were unable to name a single Old Testament prophet. When people are questioned about the Bible on radio or television, it is remarkable and disconcerting to see their complete lack of knowledge on the subject. Some are almost as confused as the little boy who wrote on his test paper that “the epistles were the wives of the apostles.”

C. James talks about not merely listening to the word, but doing what it says. The word for James would have been the Torah, the law. He is encouraging his Jewish readers to remain in the Word. It isn’t being loose with the text to include our Bible as the Word. James’ point is that a person can read the word and not do it. A person can keep the word from having an impact on his or her life. In James very practical way, he encourages us to align ourselves with the will and intent of God. We’ll look today at such instruction.

Righteous

A. There are numerous examples in the Bible in which the writer tells us specifically what God wants. Here in James 1:20, we are told that God desires for us to live a righteous life. This righteous life is a reflection of the character of God. The word that is used includes the idea of justice. The idea is treating people as God would treat them. James gives us some principles to live by in order to reveal the righteousness of God. We are to be quick to listen. Listen to what? More than likely, James means the word. Quick to listen doesn’t mean just to hear the words but allow the words to penetrate your heart.

B. We are to be quick to listen, slow to speak. The word “slow” here and in slow to become angry means to have humility and patience. Our speech is to reflect humility and patience with others. The writer of proverbs writes: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (10:19). We are to be slow to become angry. We are to be humble and patient with others so that they see the righteousness of God.

C. Bruce Goodrich was being initiated into the cadet corps at Texas A & M University (1984). One night, Bruce was forced to do motivational exercies including running until he dropped—but he never got up. Bruce Goodrich died before he even entered college. Four young men were tried and convicted for their part in Bruce’s death. A short time after the tragedy, Bruce’s father wrote a letter to the administration, faculty, student body, and the corps of cadets: “I would like to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of my family for the great outpouring of concern and sympathy from Texas A & M University and the college community over the loss of our son Bruce. We were deeply touched by the tribute paid to him in the battalion. We were particularly pleased to note that his Christian witness did not go unnoticed during his brief time on campus.” Mr. Goodrich went on: “I hope it will be some comfort to know that we harbor no ill will in the matter. We know our God makes no mistakes. Bruce had an appointment with his Lord and is now secure in his celestial home. When the question is asked, ‘Why did this happen?’ perhaps one answer will be, ‘So that many will consider where they will spend eternity.’”

D. Since God wants us to be righteous, how do we do that?

1. James says we are to get rid of all moral filth. We are to be aggressive in getting rid of the evil that is in our life. We are to work on listening to the word, and being slow to speak and to become angry. We are not to excuse our actions as “this is just the way I am.” If you have a short fuse, then the intent of God is for you to make changes. If you say things without thinking, then God’s will is that you shut your mouth and start thinking. Don’t excuse your behavior because you have always done things this way. We want to make God look good.

2. Second, we are to humbly accept the word. The word of God allows us to know the will of God and knowing the will of God we can be saved. James is not putting his faith in the word but recognizing that the word allows us to know God’s will.

Religion

A. James expands on this idea of accepting the word. Don’t just listen to the word, but do what it says. Some pretend that hearing the word in some way makes them believers. Hardly. You only deceive yourself. It is much like the vast majority of Americans say they believe in God but it would be difficult to believe this is true when their life doesn’t reflect the character of God. It is like the man who looks at himself in the mirror and pays no attention to what he sees. For those of us who spend time looking to make sure every hair is in place and every blemish covered, we find this analogy difficult to grasp. But even an artist would not draw a self portrait from memory.

B. Instead, we need to be the person who looks intently (not in a mirror) but into the word. To look intently means to pour over the word. It means to study it. It means to allow the word to make an impression and impact. If we will intently hear the word instead of just a cursory look then we will be blessed. Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The word can protect us from sinning. It is our protection against Satan just as Jesus used the word during his 40 days of temptation.

C. Film clip.

D. What does God want? He wants you to live a righteous life. He wants real religion. A religion that keeps the tongue in check (slow to speak). A religion that looks after those who are less fortunate. A religion that gets rid of moral filth. How are you doing? Jesus put it this way “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

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