Real Religion

“Only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10).  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning… Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath… If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.  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 1:17-27).

God’s Word instructs us to be meek

With self-control upon our path: 
Be swift to hear, be slow to speak,  
And also to be slow to wrath. 

How vainly mere religion fails

To bridle tongues that will offend.
The mouth with no restraint unveils
A prideful heart that will contend.

A pure religion, undefiled,  

Is NOT religious in this sense: 
We love it when our Lord has smiled;
We hate religion’s vain pretense.

The blessings coming from above

Are given to us to impart
Expressions of our Father’s love
To thus communicate His heart.

O Lord, we thank You for correction

Reproving motives and behavior. 
Religion offers no protection: 
Our confidence is in our Savior!