Today, we’re looking at James chapter one and what it means to live out clean and undefiled religion before God.
James begins in verse 16: Do not be caused to wander. Every good and perfect gift comes from above (verse 17)—that gift is the doctrine given to the believer in Christ. In verse 18, James says the Church was brought into existence by God’s will. Before the foundation of the world, He chose there would be a people in Christ (Ephesians 1:4). God births us by His Spirit (Titus 3:5), plants His incorruptible seed in us (1 John 3:9; 1 Peter 1:23), and makes us firstfruits in Christ. Just as Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20), we share in that hope and in the firstfruits of the Spirit (Romans 8:23).
In verses 19–20, James tells us: be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Human anger does not work God’s righteousness. Instead, we must put it away (Ephesians 4:31) and not sin in it (Ephesians 4:26).
In verses 21–25, he warns us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. Lay aside the filth of the sin nature and receive the implanted Word with objectivity of mind. God’s Word saves the soul and gives stability. To only hear without applying is self-deception. The one who continues in the law of liberty—the life of the Spirit in Christ—is truly blessed. Liberty in Christ is not license to sin but freedom to live out righteousness, freed from the bondage of the Mosaic Law.
Finally, in verses 26–27, James defines clean and undefiled religion. Outward ritual without controlling the tongue is worthless. Instead, true devotion is shown by gracious speech (Colossians 4:6; Titus 2:8), caring for believers in need, and keeping oneself unspotted from the world. We are not of this world (John 18:36); in Christ we are crucified to it (Galatians 6:14).
This is the life James calls us to—rooted in God’s Word, lived out by His Spirit, and set apart for Christ.
