and all this because Israel had become `a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evil

doers, sons who deal corruptly' (Isa. 1: 4 R.S.V.).

Later on the Lord Jesus Himself said, "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their

mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me" (Matt. 15: 8).

Much that was external in ritual was correct, but it was all in vain as far as God was

concerned because their minds and daily lives were far removed from Him.

And so it always has been. All such conduct is no more than empty profession. If it

comes to external acts then James tells his readers:

This does not attempt to give a complete definition of what pure religion is. Rather it

gives two characteristics of the truth in practice, which are better than external acts of

worship taken by themselves. Widows and orphans were not provided for in ancient

society, they were typical examples of those needing help. God Himself is revealed in

His Word as "a Father of the fatherless" and "a judge of the widows" (Psa. 68: 5), and

the Lord Jesus strongly condemned some of the Pharisees for embezzling the property of

widows (Mark 12: 40). We remember too Paul's injunctions to Timothy concerning

widows' needs (I Tim. 5: 3) and the concern of the early church for them (Acts 6: 1).

Truly our God is a practical God and while there is plenty of `religion' about today,

how much of it really counts in the Lord's estimation? Routine attendance at a place of

worship on Sunday and a forgetfulness of the Lord and His claims during the week do not

harmonize. One cannot help feeling that much in Christendom is no more than this. No

wonder such Christian profession is devoid of power or attractiveness and the riches of

God's revealed truth are so little appreciated. May all of us who claim to have "opened

eyes" seek grace and strength to be "living epistles" clearly making known Whose we are

and Whom we serve.