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.

Religion. This word has sparked more controversy than most any other word that I know. People killing others in the name of their God, imposing their beliefs on nonbelievers, saying one thing but doing another. No wonder some people are skeptical, even outright hostile to a belief in a higher power.

Although understanding doctrine and proclaiming God’s word is important, I believe the best evidence of religion is borne out through the deeds of believers. Walking the talk or teaching others through your actions is the best way to demonstrate one’s faith.

James was inspired to write about religion and mentioned a pair of qualifiers to those who would consider themselves to be religious — helping the most afflicted people in society who happen to be orphans and widows. I find it interesting that he mentioned the afflicted before he said the second part — keeping oneself unspotted from the world. To me, it seems that if you are doing the first part then doing the second part comes naturally which is staying pure before God.

One way that I see so many Christians demonstrating their faith today is by helping children in other lands, specifically through the annual Samaritan’s Purse shoe box campaign. Better known as Operation Christmas Child, this appeal brings nearly 8 million shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, personal goods and a Bible tract to children who are desperately poor. Oftentimes, this is the only gift of substance that these children receive throughout the year.

I realize that stuffing a shoe box full of goodies can be done by anyone, therefore I am not saying that if you participate in this campaign that you are a Christian. What I do believe is that ongoing acts such as these is one way for you to proclaim God’s love and demonstrate to the world what true religion is all about — helping others and following God.

Let the religious folks bask in their piety; I prefer to demonstrate God’s love tangibly and effectively.

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