It seems James 1:27 is the most influential and claimed verse of scripture for the family called to adopt.  I must admit that it speaks to the core of our family’s hope for how it will change us.  We had become entirely too comfortable in our religious routine.  We are eagerly expectant of the plow this process of adoption will be to the hardened soil of our lives.

 

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  I can’t say for sure what this verse does for everyone who is challenged to adopt by it.  It must, however, have something to do with seeking to practice “pure and undefiled religion.”

 

For me, a cursory reading of the word “religion” most often raises a red flag.  It conjures images of cold, empty, hygienically routine practices.  After a deeper look though, the word speaks of deep devotion born out of a set of convictions.  The dilemma is that the habits and practices of professing believers that are void of conviction are what typically get associated with the word.

 

In Colossians 2:18 the same Greek word (threskeia) is used and is translated “worship.”  It is not the Greek word used when the healthy worship of God is what is meant.  This word is actually used in the negative sense in Colossians as Paul exhorts the believers there not to give credence to any who practice the “worshipping of angels.”

 

It is in this sense that I believe James uses this word.  The avoidance of defiled and impure religious practices is the goal.  To keep the exercising of our beliefs and convictions from becoming empty and shallow, James issues a challenge to see to the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves.  By definition, religion is the outworking of inward convictions.  In other words, what you look like as one who is living a life of faith and repentance in Jesus Christ.

 

This message falls right in step with the overarching theme of his letter that faith void of works is dead.  Only here, James seems to take it a step further.  Not only is true saving faith accompanied by visible fruit, but certain disciplines can guard you from becoming spiritually sterile.

 

So, what application can you make for yourself out of this verse?  It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to drop $30k to bring two orphans into your home.  There are many opportunities for you to help meet the needs of widows and orphans.  Your family can adopt a grandparent at your local nursing home.  You can also investigate sponsoring an orphan through organizations like Kingdom Vision International who runs the orphanage in Ethiopia where we found Bethlehem and Theodore.

 

Regardless of what you do, I encourage you to do something to guard the daily outworking of your and your family’s convictions from becoming “stained” and sterile by this world.  A world we are merely passing through…