God's Glory Church

“Pure and unblemished piety before God and the Father of this father: to look over orphans and widows in their oppression.” — James 1:27

In the summer after my sophomore year of college, a classmate of mine died unexpectedly. I saw him a few days before he died and he looked great. We were young and, as it seemed to us, in our prime. Having joined the student fraternity, we had already managed to become friends, and suddenly death…

But most of all, this sad event was remembered by me as a manifestation of the quality that James calls “godliness” (James 1:27). Student friends treated the sister of the deceased as if they were brothers. They came to her for a wedding, then, years later, came together to congratulate her on the birth of a baby. One of them even gave her a mobile phone and offered to call whenever she wanted.

True piety, according to James, means “looking over the orphans and widows in their distress” (v. 27). Although our friend’s sister was not an orphan in the literal sense of the word, she did lose a brother. New “brothers” filled the void that had formed.

And this is what all of us who want to be “doers of the word” can do (v. 22). Among other things, this fulfillment includes helping the needy (James 2:14-17). Faith in the Lord prompts us to take care of the defenseless and, with God’s help, to protect ourselves from the negative influence of the world. This is exactly the kind of godliness that Heavenly Father desires.

In which of your acquaintances have you seen “pure and unblemished piety”? What can show the sincerity of your faith?

Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see those I can help. Direct me to such people.

Author: Katara Patton