True Religion

In our Bible class tonight the question was asked what does "true religion" look like to you in Florence.

 In James 1:27 it says:

 "27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. "

True Religion:

• A grandfather leaves his family meal on Thanksgiving day and drives his grandson to a little gas station. Hands his grandson a wad of cash and tells him to go inside to give the money to the girl standing behind the counter. Grandson follows his instructions, the girl is astonished and thankful. Nothing else was said about the "gift" but it left a lasting impression on the grandson and I'm sure on the girl.
• A man stops to give another man that is standing on the side of the street a meal. Instead he tells the man to get in his truck, feeds him, clothes him, helps him locate the friendship center and gives him a ride home.  
• A woman hears of a family that has fallen on hard times. She goes to the grocery store buys a couple hundred dollars in non-perishable food items and leaves the groceries on the front steps of this family's  home.
• A teacher has a troubled child in her classroom and unselfishly decides to reach out to this child and show him love in numerous ways.
• An elderly woman hears of a man that has been diagnosed with a rare disease. She sits down, painfully writes a card with her arthritic hands and prays for him daily.
• A woman has strayed away from God's kingdom. A Godly woman gently leads her back to God's loving arms.

There are so many examples of what "true religion" is. For me, it is not your car sitting in the church parking lot or your backside warming a pew. For me it is about keeping my head out of the sand, and looking for opportunities to serve others and following through on those opportunities quietly and with God's guidance.

Do you remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? It says in Mark 12:31 to "love your neighbor as yourself". And in Luke 10:27 it is referenced again by the "expert" that wanted to justify himself to figure out who his neighbor is. Then Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the good Samaritan. In verse 33 it says that the Samaritan took pity upon the beaten and robbed man. The Samaritan cleaned his wounds, bandaged him took him upon his donkey to an inn where he cared for him. The "expert" then identified "the one who had mercy on him" as his neighbor.

The Good Samaritan could have very easily passed up this opportunity to serve his neighbor, just as we sometimes pass up opportunities to serve our neighbors.

Be someone who is ready and willing to reach out and help their neighbors. Be someone who is willing to "clean wounds and bandage" those who are hurting. Listen to God...he will guide you. He will put those opportunities before you that best fit your gifts. You have to be willing to slow down and listen.

What is true religion to you?