SUNDAY LESSON, 8/2/20
REVIVAL: MOVING FROM RELIGION TO RELATIONSHIP
James 1:26-27
James points out that there is a religion that is “worthless” and a religion that is “pure and faultless”. Worthless religion promotes self-righteousness, whereas religion that is pure and faultless is based upon one’s relationship with God and people. In these two verses, the half-brother of Jesus speaks of a relationship with both God and people that moves beyond mere religion. One can be religious without a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.
So, what’s the difference between RELIGION and RELATIONSHIP?
Religion looks like this:
Performing ritual and keeping rules that is not from the heart.
Going through the motions.
Doing good works in order to try to earn your way to God.
Obedience based on fear instead of love.
Relationship looks like this:
You receive Him into your life and yield your life to Him in obedience.
You seek Him daily.
You love Him and people.
You do good works out of love and gratitude and not to earn something.
You worship from the heart instead of just going through the motions.
James 1:26-27
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 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.
