Lesson 29 August 15
1:26-27 The Nature of Acceptable Obedience
If anyone thinks
thinks - dokew is often used
in the sphere of public opinion and estimate of things rather than reality
(true conditions) therefore it describes subjective thinking.
religious
- qrhsko,j - What
James is describing are those who perform the acts of religion such as public worship, fasting, or giving to the
needy
Definition - religion: Man seeking to meet the demands of +R by the
performance of religious rites of worship or man derived steps to satisfy God
and attain heaven which are not Biblically based at all.
- In the context
James is dealing with the hearer but not a doer who as a result of no
application, develops
his own standards since he filters the truth through His SIN NATURE.
Through subjective thinking this one
rests - that is, he is satisfied in his opinion of himself while the following
2 Pres Ptc's present the true state of the man.
and yet does not
bridle his own tongue and deceives his own heart
- What needs to be
remembered is that the tongue doesn't operate apart from one's volition.
deceives his own heart
- Pres act Ptc - avpata,w - to deceive, cheat, mislead; here with the reflexive pronoun says he makes a habit of deceiving himself relating
to the use of his tongue.
this man's religion is
worthless - ma,taioj = empty, vain, worthless;
it's non-productive, useless
Summary:
1. 6 times James will emphasize the misuse of
the tongue - speech which indicates that S/T was a major problem for these
believers.
(
2. It is the tongue - one's speech that quickly
reveals what is in the mind and the rulership of real you. Mt 12:34-35
3. A controlled tongue, a bridled tongue, is an
indication of a life controlled and influenced by truth.
4. The real problem
is self deception with sins of the tongue (S/T) being the overt indication.
Brings into focus the consequence of
hearing and no application of truth vs:22 deluding
themselves.
5. Ritual or external service w/o reality:
a. Attendance where there is nothing to feed one
spiritually.
b. Attendance where there is content but only
going thru the motions.
c. Inhale attentive hearer but no exhale; no application; not
a doer
6. One's religious service is of no value - it's
worthless if there is no impact of the hearing of truth on the life.
Describes a religion
or religious practice in which one's conduct and character are disciplined by
God's word.
This is pure and undefiled religion
religion =
qrhskei,a: here the bonifide or positive use:
not an emphasis on just the external rituals; but the establishment of God's
std being lived out in the life.
in the sight of our God and Father
*** What is
acceptable is not determined by the variable std of human vpt, opinion or by
tradition but by what
God's word reveals to us.
to visit orphans and widows in their distress.
Both of these terms orphans and
widows are minus the def article which tells us he is focusing in on the
characteristics, i.e. those having specific needs, not focusing on any specific
individuals.
Grace based system of
assistance within the R/F - the body of Christ is a system of providing the
mutual needs of other believers in times of pressure and testing.
God took this seriously and they
knew it. Ex 22:22-24; Dt. 10:17-19; Dt 14:28-29; Dt 27:19;
Jesus in His teaching ministry
taught the same principle - do justice to the O & W's - failure to do so,
brings greater discipline. Mark 12:38-40