Genuine Religion
Apr 11th, 2008 | By Jeff | Category: TheologyDon’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:22-26 NLT
This verse has been very meaningful in my life the past couple of days. Jaime and I have been faced with a huge decision. The choice to adopt two children and have a baby or just have the baby. There are a number of things that we have thought about, from ‘coincidences’, to the process that we have gone through the past 6 months. And this verse from James has been on my mind these past few days. Last night I believe the full weight of what we are doing landed on me, and I don’t mean this in a negative way. We had an initial visit with the kids last night, and although it was short with little interaction I feel very energized that we are following God and doing the right thing. I believe I also grasp how huge the responsibility is, and also how huge this will be in the lives of the Children.
James says that “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” And this is not because the person helping an orphan or helping a widow is somehow a great person. The greatness has nothing to do with the person helping, but with the obedience of that person to see a need and step in to help. Verse 22 says “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.” And helping orphans and widows is part of making God’s words real and active. Allowing His words to not simply be theoretical or good ideas, but real and active and meaningful in our lives and the lives of others.
I honestly believe that if Jaime and I were to step away from trying to adopt these children right now, that we would be guilty, that we would be sinning. It is our desire and our responsibility to be agents of the Father in the lives of these children. We know the road will be long, and difficult. Probably far more difficult than we actually think. But we know that God is great and that when we follow Him, we are always in the best situation possible.
So, we are excited to be taking steps of faith that others may never understand because our Father is with us and preparing the way before us.
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Jeff,
In the years that we have known each other, I can honestly say that reading what you wrote in this post is probably the most Godly thing I have heard from you. It has been awesome to be apart of your (The Bristows) journey and watch your lives unfold. You’ve not been afraid to look foolish and follow God no matter who supports you and who doesn’t. I’m blessed to know you both and look forward to getting to know the new additions to your family.
Blessings.
Thanks. Hopefully you can swing down a bit further into the State or Jaime and I (and maybe the kids) can swing up to Orlando in the next few months.
This song will really minister to you and your wife both. You truly have the heart of god. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. Just surrender and allow him to work through you and you cannot fail because it isnt you doing it, but it is christ. this video and song were given to me just for you both.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Cjxyn9IFI&feature=related
Matt - Thanks for the link and the encouragement. That is a great song. We are heading to the Dr. today to have the babies first picture taken, and to see how everything is going. So, we are very excited. Hopefully I will have a picture of the baby to place up on the blog by the end of the day.