**Daily Devotional** **October 27** *27 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 1:27 (KJV)* James is using the term “Pure religion” to refer to Christianity, as religion is used to describe man’s attempt to worship God, whereas Christianity is God coming to mankind through Jesus. All religions contain a set of rules and laws that a person must follow to please God, which means that it is based on your actions. The Old Testament law given through Moses was religious, as it was all based on your actions in following the law, and making you earn self-righteousness. It was never intended to be a way to God (Romans 3:20), but was just given to slow the sin down until Jesus could come and redeem us. The Law was given to show us that we could never keep it, and be righteous before God. As James said elsewhere, be a doer of the Word, and not just a hearer (James 1:25), and you will be blessed. The entire law was summed up by Jesus, as loving God, and loving each other (Matthew 22:37-40), and if you truly love others as yourself, then you will care for, and help, the less fortunate in the world. You also will serve the Lord by doing all that He has commanded us to do, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit by letting your light shine out onto this dark world (Matthew 5:16). If you truly love Jesus, and are serving Him as your Lord, then you will try to live as holy as you can, as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15). Let your light shine and glorify your Lord in all you say and do – thank you Jesus. Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com