I've been reading the New Testament book, James in my personal study and am amazed how much the Holy Spirit is allowing me to see that I've missed before. James 1:27 has got my attention today and I share with you my rambling thoughts on it...."This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit widows and orphans in their distress, and keep oneself unstained by (from) the world."
Authenticity is a very important word these days in the Kingdom. Not unlike others, the current rising generation is disenchanted with The Church and her faults and we're hearing rumblings like: "challenge the process", "talk of revolution", "the new integrity" or the search for reality (the genuine article).... Everything we are and do should be open for evaluation and updating so that we can guarantee we are in touch with those we endeavor to reach and being as intentional and effective as possible.
...Keeping oneself unstained by the world (maintaining our credible, proven genuine, uncorrupted and authentic presence in a fallen world and not being of [pressed into its mold] that world) is one of the hallmarks or stamps of genuiness that should be [from God's perspective] on all of us who "follow Jesus".
We live in treacherous days and it's becoming increasingly difficult to discern or filter out the bad and embrace the best. I can't think of a time in my life when it has been more important to be a student of the Word of God, His ways and to pray for widsom! We've been given the "tools" needed to discern, by Him, to keep us on track, obedient and unstained. If generously and passionately applied (His resources), we should never fear hearing these words from Him: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?" Living in these last days, our enemy is aggressive and the voices / attempts by him to launch and facilitate our demise are rampant.
Tony Compolo writes, "The greatest danger to those who would follow Jesus is not overt persecution from society, but subtle seduction by its values. Compromise with the culture has always had more potential for annihilating true (pure and undefiled) faith than has intellectual skepticism or the threat of being thrown to the lions."
So now the question, whose agenda will we live by? How are we doing right now (from God's perspective), pure or stained?
Weighty thoughts indeed but I thought it imperative I share them with you, my friends and fellow followers of Jesus.
Indebted,
Mitch
