Orphans and Widows – Listening and Doing

James 1:16-27. Book of James, orphans and widows – AD48
James wrote about looking after the weak in the body of the church.

James’s letter is very practical for Christian living.

James gives practical advice on things like quick to listen and slow to speak or become angry. And he carries on writing that we must not merely listen to the word but Do what it says. And includes these words — Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Background Reading:

Practical Christian Living

1:16 Do not be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. 18 In accordance with his will he made us his children by the word of truth, so that we might become the most important of his creatures.

19 You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, rid yourselves of everything impure and every expression of wickedness, and with a gentle spirit welcome the word planted in you that can save your souls.

22 Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror 24 and studies himself carefully, and then goes off and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it—thereby demonstrating that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what that law requires—will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself,k his religion is worthless. 27 A religion that is pure and stainless according to God the Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows who are suffering, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:27

More Information:

James was written about AD48, with some believing that it is the first New Testament book.


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