Bowl of Pasta

March 11

Read: James 1:27b

Bowl of Pasta

“and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (v.27b)

Imagine that you are all dressed up for a special event… wearing all white as a matter of fact. You have a few minutes before you need to leave and you are hungry. Now imagine that someone hears that you would like something to eat and hands you a giant bowl of pasta with red sauce. What would it be like to try and eat that!? Can you imagine how careful you would need to be to avoid making a mess… all the potential ways that your crisp white outfit could get destroyed by just one wacky noodle filled with red spaghetti sauce? Maybe instead of pasta, you imagine that someone handed you a full rack of ribs covered in BBQ sauce… it’s about the same. The point is that one wrong move and your clothes are stained!

Here is the truth: the world is a messy place. If you are not careful, you will get it all over you! Your “outfit” will get stained. This is the picture of James 1:27b, and the final part of three different practices of the life of faith that are captured in James 1:26-27. The words from the scriptures ring true in our ears: “Religion that is pure and undefiled is … to keep oneself unstained from the world.” It takes an intentional practice of faith to “keep oneself unstained”. It is like working on a car in an all-white wedding dress… or farming in an all-white suit. There is no shortage of filthy things to bump into or rub up against. You need to be intentional with where you are leaning… and what you are grabbing a hold of.

Here is one more bit of good news: Jesus keeps us clean. He handles the laundry so to speak. He has covered us so that no matter what, it comes out in the wash! It is Christ who empowers and enables us to “remain unstained’. When James describes “keeping oneself unstained” he is describing the way that we are supposed to live… painting for us a word picture… coaching us in our life of faith… Not trying to make a comment about the forgiveness of Christ. Jesus has indeed made us clean… we are completely without stain in Christ. What strong words form James - and GOOD! They give us an inspiring picture of the life of faith:

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”- (James 1:26,27)

Love you guys! - JDP