James 1:27, Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. NKJV

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. NASB

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

To piggyback off my previous study for a moment, the original Greek word translated here as “Religion” is the same and can be defined as ceremonial observance.

Worship is not only singing a song to praise God, it is every act of praise we make. From washing the dishes and teaching Sunday school to babysitting and going to work, if it is God glorifying and done for Him with the right heart then it is an act of worship.

James writes that a ceremonial observance which is “pure and undefiled before God” is visiting orphans and widows in their trouble, i.e. caring for them, and to keep ourselves unstained by the world, i.e. free from sin.

He does not say lighting candles while chanting; he does not say reading through the Bible in a year or memorizing verses; he doesn't even say dressing nicely and singing songs. He says caring for those who have particular need and to keep ourselves holy, set apart from the world, is religion pure and undefiled before our God.

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I pray
to God
that He brings
my heart
to want
what He wants
for the reasons
He wants it.