notes

Main point summary

You cannot please God by worshiping him while your speech is uncontrolled. God is pleased by showing mercy to the poor and needy and by keeping away from this world's filth.

Discourse**

editing

NT

James 1:26-27

esv

mine

If anyone thinks he is religious

If anyone regards himself as pleasing God

q and does not bridle his tongue

and at the same time does not control his words

but deceives his heart,

but ignores his sin, thinking he is ok with God

negativepositive

series

this person’s r religion is worthless.

then his religion does not have any worth in God's eyes.

conditional

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:

A true and pure God-pleasing lifestyle is the following:

s to visit t orphans and widows in their affliction,

to show mercy to the poor and needy

and u to keep oneself v unstained from the world.

and not to participate in worldly sins.

ideaexplanation

alternative

discourse

Notes**

The fruit shows the genuineness of our faith: We may have an outer form of godliness, going to church, reading the Bible, etc., but what comes out of our mouth shows what is in our heart. If gossip, bitter words, slander, curses, dirty jokes etc. come out, it shows the bitter root in our heart, which needs to be delt with by the gospel-truths. If we positively show love by doing acts of mercy towards the poor and needy, and negatively keep away from worldly filth, we show that we have His DNA. Application: Let us be inspired to please God by living out His DNA! Let us open our hearts in mercy towards the (physically, emotionally, spiritually) needy, in particular our brothers and sisters! Let not worldliness come in between our Lord and us, let it not hinder our loving service! This lifestyle will not only please God but bring the joy of his closeness into our lives.