James 1:27 states that “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.”
A few weeks ago I was approached by a local district nurse who had a struggling family that she wondered if I could help with. The couple had a child who was struggling developmentally because the parents lacked the ability to parent well. They lived in an environment with overgrown lawns and around 40 rusting ovens, washing machines and fridges. It was at the point that if they didn’t do something about the environment they could lose the child, but sadly they lacked the capacity to make a change. The nurse asked if I could do something about the whiteware, so I said I would.
A week later, myself and a team of guys from church turned up with trailers and, in three hours, removed all the whiteware to the local dump. The nurse and the family were over the moon. It was a catalyst to take the next step of getting the lawns down and hopefully more – but even if nothing else happens, it was a witness to the community of the verse above.
In other words, Christians first honour and worship God as Creator of all, and then seek to live lives that reflect his character in everything they do, which is why James above states that true religion is reflected in its practice. If we claim to be believers, then it should be seen in how we treat others, how we speak both privately and publically, our care of all persons regardless of age, status, sex, race or ability. Evidence, you might say, of a truly redeemed life. One that’s encouraged and enabled by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, who enters the believer the moment they accept Christ.
However altruistic behaviour is not simply limited to Christians.
Since all humanity is made in the image of God, there is an innate part of us that aspires to what we were originally created for. I see it often in our community: from the hunter who provides free venison to struggling families in Cobden, to the work of volunteers in every area of our community, to the attitudes of our district councillors and mayor – who, I know from personal experience of working alongside, only want the best for our community.
Humanity was created for a relationship with God, and while I believe our full potential can only be realised when we recognise that, it is also reflected in the actions of many seeking to be the best versions of themselves.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
James 1:27 states that “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.”
A few weeks ago I was approached by a local district nurse who had a struggling family that she wondered if I could help with. The couple had a child who was struggling developmentally because the parents lacked the ability to parent well. They lived in an environment with overgrown lawns and around 40 rusting ovens, washing machines and fridges. It was at the point that if they didn’t do something about the environment they could lose the child, but sadly they lacked the capacity to make a change. The nurse asked if I could do something about the whiteware, so I said I would.
A week later, myself and a team of guys from church turned up with trailers and, in three hours, removed all the whiteware to the local dump. The nurse and the family were over the moon. It was a catalyst to take the next step of getting the lawns down and hopefully more – but even if nothing else happens, it was a witness to the community of the verse above.
In other words, Christians first honour and worship God as Creator of all, and then seek to live lives that reflect his character in everything they do, which is why James above states that true religion is reflected in its practice. If we claim to be believers, then it should be seen in how we treat others, how we speak both privately and publically, our care of all persons regardless of age, status, sex, race or ability. Evidence, you might say, of a truly redeemed life. One that’s encouraged and enabled by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, who enters the believer the moment they accept Christ.
However altruistic behaviour is not simply limited to Christians.
Since all humanity is made in the image of God, there is an innate part of us that aspires to what we were originally created for. I see it often in our community: from the hunter who provides free venison to struggling families in Cobden, to the work of volunteers in every area of our community, to the attitudes of our district councillors and mayor – who, I know from personal experience of working alongside, only want the best for our community.
Humanity was created for a relationship with God, and while I believe our full potential can only be realised when we recognise that, it is also reflected in the actions of many seeking to be the best versions of themselves.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
