"This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27
Recently I have been thinking on this portion of Scripture, specifically on the last phrase: "Keep oneself unstained by the world." It is such a simple statement, yet what does it mean to be unstained by the world? The word "unstained" means: "to be free from dirt or stain," "without soil or spot." As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are called to be set apart from the world; to be in the world, but not of it. We are to be different, to be lights in a dark world. But when we allow the things of this world place in our lives it is difficult for the world to see the difference. Too often the testimony of a Believer is tainted by worldliness. We cannot dabble in the world and expect to remain unstained.
When I was a little girl one of my favorite dresses was a burgundy and navy gingham with a beautiful white lace collar. I remember proudly wearing it for the first time to meeting one Sunday. That night I put it in my hamper and a few days later it went through the washing machine. You can imagine my Mom's dismay when she realized that I had, ignorant of the ramifications, washed my burgundy dress with the white lace collar! Of course the dress had bled and my collar was no longer white but pink! My dear Mom painstakingly bleached the collar and removed most of the stains; but it was never the same after that. Because the white collar was sewn to the burgundy dress it could not go through the wash and remain unstained. In the same way, if we are allowing ourselves to be "sewn" to the world we can not go through life (the "wash") and not be affected by the filthiness of sin.
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17
It is so sad to see Believers taken up with the things of the world. Indeed, the world is passing away! This should move us to invest in things of eternal importance; to impassion us to see souls come to Christ! It is my prayer that every Believer would see the immense importance in living a life that is set apart unto God, and God alone. What a difference it would make in our world today if we as Believers were to set our hearts and minds completely on the Lord Jesus and be passionate about serving and glorifying Him. I want the world to see the difference and to desire to have what we have in Christ! Let's be different and make a difference for Eternity!
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3
