Previously we had examined the Apostle James’ admonition to be “doers of the word”. He makes the point that those who hear the word, but do not do it or, rather, obey it, deceive their own selves. He compares that person to a man who looks at himself in the mirror then turns away and forgets what he saw (James 1:22-24). On the other hand, that man who listens and becomes a “doer of the work…shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25). It is from this vantage point that James then talks about empty religion, i.e. religion that does no one any good.
He boldly asserts “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26, emphasis added). It doesn’t take a seminary degree to understand this. If a man can’t control his speech, his religion isn’t much good. James calls it vain or empty. We might even say it is powerless. Put another way, we could ask what good is going to church on Sunday when you curse and take the Lord’s name in vain the rest of the week. Or, what value is there in singing the old hymns of the faith with the choir while your tongue sounds forth the bitter notes of harshness and unkindness with those you come into contact with from day to day. As James declares such a man “deceiveth his own heart”.
James is pretty matter of fact – “religion” is about a changed life. In fact, he goes on to challenge his audience with this thought provoking truth. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). This religion involves a loving and compassionate regard for others, especially the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, while refusing to be sullied with the sins of the world around us. This is true religion, life changing religion!
A scribe came to Jesus and asked him “Which is the greatest commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, the first of all the commandments is…thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:28-31). True religion has a different view of both God and man. It changes both perspective and conduct. But to experience this change requires that we see our own self differently.
Recall that James spoke of a man who looked in a mirror, saw himself, and went his way “forgetting what manner of man he was” (James 1:24). A changed life begins with a changed heart. We must come to God as we are – sinful, spiritually bankrupt, unable to save ourselves – and He will give us life. Jesus said, “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Has your life been changed by Jesus Christ or is your religion vain?
From the Chaplain 