Message by Chad Kelly
The Real Deal
James 1:26-27
Acting like Jesus is the proof that we love Jesus.
James 1:22-27 (MSG)
22-24 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God””the free life!””even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
26-27 Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
Acting like Jesus is the proof that we love Jesus.
“The Real Deal” means . . .
1) Serving the Needy (27a)
2) Staying Close and Clean (27b)
1) Serving the Needy (27a)
Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight
Psalm 146:9
The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
Matthew 25:36, 40
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me . . . Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.
Mark 10:42-45
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
James 2:15-17
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
17 (Message)
Isn”™t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
2) Staying Close and Clean (27b)
and guard against corruption from the godless world
27b (NLT)
and refuse to let the world corrupt us
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
James 4:4
Adulterers and adultresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The Tell-Tale Sign=THE TONGUE
(Another is YOUR CHECKBOOK)
James 1:26
Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.
Matthew 12:34-35
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
James 1:19
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
True religion has dirty hands and a clean heart!