Counsel #14 — Real Religion

Picture: Counsel #14 — Real ReligionCCW 32.1

Martin Luther famously referred to James as the “epistle of straw.” This is because James seemed to endorse works over faith, in Luther’s view. God grants us salvation as a gift; but God also wants us to live a life of wholistic happiness. And that happiness is manifested through a life of faith and service.^{[48]https://www.adventist.org/remnant-and-its-mission/mission/love-in-any-language/} In the Bible, Salvation isn’t an intellectual process; it’s a holistic lifestyle of love toward God and our fellow human beings. Micah 6:8 clarifies what God expects of us: 1) goodness; 2) justice; 3) mercy; 4) humility. These are the elements of a life in alignment with God’s will. James expands on this, clarifying what real religion looks like:CCW 32.2

“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.” James 1:27 NKJVCCW 32.3

“The essence of true religion is a desire to be useful to others, to lighten their burdens and lessen their cares, to do not merely the most pleasing things, but all that needs to be done. It calls for the crucifixion of selfishness. Happiness will come to those who live this religion.” Ellen White in Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 4, Letter 6, 1885, par. 13CCW 32.4

Reflect: What parts of your life need to align more fully with true, Christlike religion? What’s holding you back from fully following Christ’s example of love and service?CCW 32.5