Short Thoughts

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,
To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
~ James 1:27

James does not here make an all-inclusive statement, as if these were the only duties involved in the Christian religion. He rather sets forth two choice adornments of pure and undefiled religion: namely charity and purity. Possessing the system of faith or body of truth is only one aspect of true religion. Paul told Titus to “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10). “Adorn” carries the thought of ornamenting, garnishing, or perhaps embellishing. While the word does imply decoration, the good works of a Christian are not only decorative, they are eminently practical.

Paul writes to the Philippians, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:29). Here the believers’ behavior is to become the Gospel of Christ. “Becometh” in this verse is translated from the Greek word axios, which means appropriately, suitably, or worthily. The word occurs six times in the New Testament where it is translated “becometh” twice; “worthy,” three times; and “a godly sort,” once.

Two of the passages where the word occurs are of particular importance here. The first is found in Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, “That ye might walk worthy [axios] of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). The second occurs in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, “That ye would walk worthy [axios] of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). (Greek added by JFS).

From the above cited passages, we learn that there is in fact a way of walking, or living daily, that is in accordance with and worthy of the pure Word of God. It is the way, or manner of life, that is appropriate or suitable to the profession we have made. James gives an example of this in our text. For our purpose in this devotion, let us further consider the adornment of charity as set forth in this passage.

James makes a statement pertaining to charity in our text, “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” The “fatherless and widows” represent a certain class of people. Orphans and widows are sort of weak and helpless. They are also lonely. They are easily oppressed and often neglected. The class is further expanded by adding those that are “in their affliction,” for they may be afflicted temporarily or terminally. “To visit” speaks of a Christian ministering to them in ways that our available to him. Since loneliness is involved, the actual physical act of visiting is certainly included. They often want for fellowship and companionship.

We may consult the ministry of Dorcas to be instructed in the practicality of charity, for “this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). She did not seem to have an abundance of resources to give alms to the poor. She manifested her charity through “good works and almsdeeds which she did.” Her religion consisted of a lot of doing and her giving was of her time, energy, and humble resources, while her hands ministered to the necessities of the weak. She visited the widows by making “coats and garments” for them (Acts 9:39). Her compassionate work had endeared her to many and there was great weeping at her death.

The works of charity are a test of true religion. Paul the Apostle said, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). The way a man treats the weak and afflicted says a lot about his true character. Christian, how do you treat the weak, needy, poor, and helpless? Do you only help those that are temporarily in need, who have the power to reciprocate? Do you only help when it will be noticed by those of great influence? In his epistle, James condemned showing preference to whom we would choose to serve based on their social standing (James 2:1-10).

Are you willing to serve and minister to others when it will not be noticed and the ones you help are not able to do anything for you? Do you desire to serve and minister to others when it will not directly benefit you in any way? Remember, John wrote in his first epistle, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10). The possessor of true religion will show his faith by his works.

“I will run the way of thy commandments,
when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”
~ Psalms 119:32

Having gotten in the way, David is hastening on the way, for running implies being in a hurry. He says, “I will run.” The pace of life on this earth is ever increasing. Yet, despite the speed of life, there are few who are truly hastening toward Heaven. Many claim Heaven as their final destination, but, to all outward appearances, seem to be in no hurry to get there. They seem to want to take their time walking in the By-Path Meadow. They seem to relish the things of earth and wish to tarry here a little longer. Therefore, they move on with snails’ pace toward the Celestial City.

David says, “I will run.” Furthermore, running implies a freedom from hindrance. The writer of Hebrews instructed the Hebrew Christians to “lay aside every weight” and to “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The ancient Greeks would compete naked to eliminate any restriction of movement. They wanted their bodies to be free to perform. The Psalmist here indicates that he has laid aside the old man’s garments to free the new man to “run the way.” We find many Christians today with their bodies bound with the world’s fashions and barely able to walk a little in the way.

Additionally, running implies an expenditure of energy and force and a firm resolve to move deliberately toward the goal. David says, “I will run.” He is bringing his energies to bear upon his task. There is no doubt that the runner with his blood, sweat, and straining muscles is in the race. He is resolved and persevering until he reaches the finish line. David’s striving is a real effort and means that there is a measurable progress in a period of time. David is making tracks and covering ground. There are too many professed Christians today who are pretty much in the same place spiritually they were years ago. For them, the race seems to be mostly a spectator’s sport.

One must also admire here David’s pragmatic approach to God’s Word. He finds a “way” in the truths of Holy Scripture. The legalist runs after the law to “bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne,” in order to “lay them on men’s shoulders” (Matthew 23:4). The antinomian runs after grace to use his “liberty for a cloke of maliciousness” (1 Peter 2:16). The intellectual runs after knowledge to “reason with unprofitable talk” and “with speeches wherewith he can do no good” (Job 15:3).

Daniel prophesied of the last days saying, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). We have witnessed this with the religionists of this day. There is much running back and forth. Everyone seems to going in different directions. It would also seem that knowledge has been increased. However, for all this running and increase of knowledge, we find no surge of practical godliness and personal holiness. We find many today that can teach systematic doctrine, who know little to nothing of holy living.

The Psalmist declares, “I will run the way of thy commandments.” All of his struggle and effort is directed and regulated by God’s Word. He finds here no book of mere intellectual stimulation, but rather words “to keep and to do” (Joshua 23:6). He confesses, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments” (Psalm 119:60). The Psalmist loves God’s Word and delights to walk in His way. He believes the words of Moses to the children of Israel, “For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life” (Deuteronomy 32:47).

Finally, David says, “When thou shalt enlarge my heart.” God would enlarge his heart by shedding abroad His love and grace within it. He would enlarge his heart by filling it with wisdom from on high. He would enlarge his heart by marking in it the “remembrance of his holiness” (Psalm 97:12). For every growth in knowledge, for every growth in grace, the Psalmist would accelerate his pace. He says, “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” May God give us grace to desire an enlarged heart more than an enlarged head and to get on in the way to Heaven. Amen.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.”
~ Matthew 10:29

The verse that now occupies our attention is certainly worthy of our meditation. On first notice, we deem that sparrows are near worthless creatures, (five could be had for a halfpenny according to Luke 12:6), and that God takes notice when even one falls to the ground. From this, we glean that God has knowledge of all His creation, taking notice and interest of the least of His creatures and that He is brought into sympathy with them.

These thoughts are the froth and cream of the verse and not strong meat sufficient to strengthen us for a forty days journey (1 Kings 19:8). There is more here than an incidental omniscience. Here the sovereign power of God is extolled. Let us take a few moments to fix our meditation here and be profited thereby.

In the first place, I wish to consider the context. In this tenth chapter, Christ is preparing His apostles to go out to work. “He gave them power” (Matthew 10:1), and He tells them to “Go… And as ye go, preach… freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:6-8). They are going to do the Lord’s work. He said, “Behold, I send you forth” (Matthew 10:16).

Christ further prepares them by giving them a warning, “But beware of men” (Matthew 10:17). He promises that they will suffer persecution. They will be cast out, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22). The path of righteousness is attended with hardship and trials for those who tread its narrow way. Christ tells them plainly that they can expect trials. However, in our text, the Lord is encouraging His apostles and makes an appeal to the sovereign power of God.

We have already seen some reasons why this verse contains more than a casual, or even intimate, knowledge of God of His creation. This is further evidenced by reading verse 31, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” There is an obvious connection between the two verses. Christ intended the truth proclaimed in verse 29 to allay the fears of the apostles. He said, “Fear ye not therefore.” Just knowing that God had knowledge of them could not sufficiently relieve the fears of the apostles and embolden them for fervent service in the face of difficulties. I believe that Christ gave the apostles two things here, the first, to make them God-centered instead of self-centered, and the second, to increase their faith.

The first truth is about the sovereignty of God in His creation. Sparrows are essentially worthless to humans, but not so to God. Christ said, “And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” It is not just that God takes notice when the least of His creatures die, but He is active throughout the span of their life. He wills their birth and wills their death. Not one sparrow shall die until the time appointed by God. Not only this, but He sustains their life, “your heavenly Father feedeth them” (Matthew 6:26). Furthermore, their life, from beginning to end, fulfills His purpose.

There’s not a sparrow, or a worm, But’s found in His decrees;
He raises monarchs to their throne, And sinks them as He please.

We see God seated high upon His throne, ruling and reigning over the least to the greatest of His creation.

Let the whole race of creatures lie Abased before their God;
Whate’er His sovereign voice has formed, He governs with a nod.

The second truth is about the loving-kindness of the benevolent heavenly Father. Notice in our text that Jesus says, “Your Father.” He speaks of the base sparrows and yet says, “Your Father.” He shows God’s hand in feeding the fowls and yet He says, “Your heavenly Father” (Matthew 6:26).

The sparrow fulfills the design of its maker and is dependent upon Him from first to last, but the sparrow’s relationship is only as creature to creator. Not so with the child of God! Jesus declares that He is “your Father.” If the sparrow is in His hands, how much more is His beloved child? God has determined our beginning and end and He will sustain us all the way.

The apostles could take comfort in these truths, especially while serving Him. No matter how fiery was their trial, they could rest in the power of God and His love for them. Their duty was to proclaim His glory. May we receive grace and strength from God to “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:3). Amen.