Don’t blame me if you don’t like the title, but it comes right out of the epistle of James (1:27).
When I read this yesterday I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed this verse before. Perhaps I was reflecting on the beginning of the section were we are told to “be doers of the word, and not hearer only…”(James 1:22 [NKJ]). James 1:27 says this:
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)
There were Old Testament laws to help protect the widows and orphans of the day, but they were not always followed. This class of people were often oppressed or neglected.
Who in our society today may be classified as oppressed or neglected? This is where the ideas of social justice and liberation theology come into play. We who call ourselves Christ-follower need to be ready to give voice the voiceless. We must stand with the oppressed. The question I as is how can I do this? How does the community of believers I am a part of do this? How does the Church do this?
Here are two things that I am currently involved with. One, is my work with Habitat for Humanity. Not only do I help pound nails but I help educate high school and college age student in the areas of poverty, homelessness, and affordable housing. Second I spend most of my Wednesday evenings with a group of men at the state prison in Lino Lakes. We are working through materials from Heart of a Warrior ministry.
I would love to hear from you about how this can be accomplished in your life.
I will touch on the second part of this verse in the coming days.
I leave you with this translation of this passage from The Message:
Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.