It is difficult to conceive of what is pure and what is impure in our current world culture. And to be fair – throughout the history of mankind. When you live in a grey world the contrasts of Light and darkness seem to evaporate. So it is up to the Christ-follower to be busy about Kingdom things such as caring for the widow and the fatherless. Basically true religion involves caring for the unprotected and those who have no father image of love. This is why things like adoption and “foster” parenting can be so powerful. We cover. We shelter. Just as God has done for us.
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” – James 1:27
What do you see around you right now on this? The word spotless translates as unstained. It comes from a root meaning to go over a cliff. So while the sons of Adam are always in danger of going over the edge, the sons of the second Adam (Jesus) are saved by His Word – and then cleansed of our imperfections and guilt. More on the cleansing part in a moment from John 13.
John is succinct on the reality of this: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16) This makes clear where our vulnerabilities lie. Three categories to help us simplify the process of discerning defiled or impure “religion.” Keep in mind that “religion” is anything we dedicate our hearts to!
1) The lust of the flesh is the passionate longing for what is temporary which results in our attention and intentions being captured by coveting what belongs to another. The heart of fallen Adam says “I want.”
2) The lust of the eyes is the essence of envy which captures our imaginations and leads us into devaluing or trashing others and exalting ourselves (like neglecting the unprotected widow and fatherless around us). The fallen heart of Adam says “I see what I want and I am entitled to it.”
3) The boastful pride of life. This could be translated “arrogant imposters of meaning.” Here we exercise our “right” to define what is true, what is of value, and the things which are beneficial to self. Adam’s image says “I take.”
Here is where the second Adam (Jesus) comes in. He cleanses us. He can do this even after we have fallen over the precipice. Bring us back to life after a fatal fall. This is the very nature of repentance (turning away) and redemption (turning toward). God brings us back from our deadly fall in Adam, and restores us to our original place – made in the image of God.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22
When Jesus opens our eyes we exchange the futility of the first Adam for the perfections of the second Adam. No matter how far we have fallen over the edge He is able to bring us back. We are then blessed to have a cleansed conscience which can, moving forward, reject the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life. Hence the huge impact of humility upon the forgiven soul.
This is woven into the story at every level.
We are with you,
Dave and Burnadette