DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 19 September 2022 — Primacy of pure religion
DCLM Higher Everyday 19 September 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi —Primacy of pure religion
TOPIC: PRIMACY OF PURE RELIGION
BIBLE TEXT: JAMES 1:23-27
24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
27Pure 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.
MEMORY VERSE: “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).
MESSAGE:
In the words of Albert Schweitzer, “Any religion or philosophy which is not based on a respect for life is not a true religion or philosophy.” The religion which pleases God is one that is faultless and pays attention to people in distress in our society. To ensure that their religion is not worthless but acceptable to God, believers must tightly bridle their tongues so as not to deceive themselves and others (James 1:26). No matter how many Christian activities you engage in, if you tell lies, speak unkindly, gossip and slander others or profane God’s name, then your religion is empty and vain. As a genuine child of God, it is of prime interest for you to keep your tongue under control (Psalm 34:12-13).
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 18 September 2022 — The personality of Pilate
God wants you to take care of those in distress, keep yourself from the pollution of the world, take care of the less privileged, and strive for personal purity and growth. Although the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind cannot repay you, you will be blessed and repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:13, 14).
QUOTE: Strive for personal purity and growth.
CHALLENGE: How faultless is the religion you practice?
PRAYER: Gracious God, let me not profane your name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
