Pure & Undefiled Religion

This semester I chose to take a Bible course that dives into the book of Isaiah. I’ve read a few verses from Isaiah, but have never really focused too much on its overall message. I thought taking this class would be interesting and possibly an opportunity to grow. We’re only a few weeks into the semester and this class already has my mind firing off light-bulbs.

In the first few chapters of Isaiah, we quickly learn that the people of Judah were in pretty rough spiritual conditions. The people had all but abandoned their relationship with God and were full of rebellion and darkness. Isaiah chapter 1 opens the book very darkly by describing the type of wickedness that had over taken them. Comments such as “ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity”, “though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow”, “how the faithful city has become a whore she who was full of justice!” (4, 18, 21).

The main issue with the people of Judah was that they were unresponsive and forgotten what true worship and religion was. Instead, they were going through the motions of religion, tradition, and sacrifices, while ignoring the orphans, widows, and justice.

Isaiah 1:17 says “cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause”.

Justice does not necessarily mean that everyone is treated the same way. Instead, it means that everyone, including the needy, should be protected and taken care of. God was calling his people to care for those in need and to show them his justice and love.

I believe this same issue is facing contemporary Christianity today. We preach and speak all the time about how we need to be the hands and feet of Jesus going out and helping those who need us. And while we go on dozens of mission trips and go off to help people around the world, we often forget about those who are right next to us.

Instead we focus on just showing up to church on Sunday morning, singing the songs, and making it through the sermon without dozing off. Or we get so caught up in traditions, condemning people for going to a certain church, or turning up our noses at who claps and raises their hands and who doesn’t, that we lose sight of what pure religion in God’s eyes actually is.

When it comes to taking care of the poor, the needy children, and the widows within our own community we almost have an attitude of “oh someone else will do it” or “that’s not as exciting as going to Africa”. I believe this type of heart and attitude is exactly what Isaiah was warning the people about and what God sees as a perverted attempt at a relationship with him. God even addresses this issue again in the new testament as a another reminder to us.

James 1:27 says “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”.

This verse has really spoken to me lately. It is almost an EXACT reflection of what God said to the people of Judah in Isaiah 1:17. If God reminds us of this warning again and again it must be something to pay attention to.