Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,
To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
People say ‘I’m not religious’ because it seems to have a ‘less than’ meaning
Less than what God has for us in the area of relationship with Jesus
But religion is important, guidelines are important
From Merriam Webster
Religion Defined: A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith; the service and worship of God; Commitment to God;
Devotion to God
Religion can mean superficiality or being lackadaisical
about the things of God and just going through the motions
or elevating rules above God Himself as some do who cling to their doctrine, rather than the Word of the Living God
Religion in its purist form is pleasing to God and honors Him
as is stated in James 1:27: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and keep himself unspotted from the world.
Remember those who are suffering,
particularly those who have no earthly covering
Be like Jesus would be to them
Help them, love them, offer them what they need
Be aware of their circumstances
so you can help them as the Lord would help them
if He were walking on earth
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Psalm 82:3
And keep yourself unspotted from the world
Do not love the world
Stay away from its enchantments, its luring, its wonder
Flesh can draw us into sin
Remain separate from the world
Touch not the unclean thing
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11
If you do get spotted from the world,
ask the Lord to cleanse you, the sooner, the better
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God;
but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:23-25
Keep plugging away, letting Jesus remove the dross
as He exposes the darkest parts of our souls to His light
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
Additional Scriptures:
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love 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 pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:15-17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
2 Corinthians 6:17