Trust the Great Logos - Jesus: Avoid Impure Religion
By Mike Robinson
So it may be best to think of theology and philosophy in
terms of the historical notion of principia.
The word principium at least
historically, is the Latin translation of the Greek word arche, which means “source” or “cause” or “foundation.” It is that
which gives something its reason to be, or its justification for existence.
Under this rubric distinctions have been made between a principium essendi and a principium cognoscendi. There are essential principles, reasons, or sources,
and there are epistemological principles, reasons, or source (K. Scott
Oliphint).
In the beginning was the Logos
and the Logos was with God, and God
was the Logos (John 1:1).
The plainest reason why the Son of God is called
the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was
the Son of God sent in order to reveal
his Father's mind to the world (Matthew Henry).
Jesus Christ is the Word (logos) and as the Word supplies and
upholds the rational environment required for reason as well as all features of
reality. Not only is Christianity reasonable, but Christian theism underwrites
the ontic necessities required for reason. Additionally, the Logos furnishes the truth conditions
utilized by propositions.
The eternal Logos is a necessary condition ... of
human knowledge about anything (Ronald Nash).
When the Greek philosophers
considered the question of truth, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and more,
they began to use the word logos to
describe the ultimate reality they were pursuing. The logos was the organizing principle, that which gives life and
meaning to the universe. To the apostle John, the logos was personal … and became incarnate as a human being. The logos is God himself … the One who was
there in the beginning before all things (Burk Parsons).
Jesus’ ontology (His being and
essence) is an essential element of Christianity, for He is the great Logos
(John 1:1), and logic is an element of His being and nature. Christians are the
community that can account for reason, since reason comes from the mind and the
nature of God. The true God is the God of reason. Reason cannot be held over
His head in a type of Eurythro Dilemma, since it is a reflection of His
thoughts and nature; consequently, we must espouse our use of human reason in
submission to His revelation in the Bible.
Impure Religion
Therefore
lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness
the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a
man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes
himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into
the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful
hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
If anyone among you thinks he is religious,
and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is
this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from
the world (James 1:22-27).
How to avoid defiled religion:
1.
Worship
God daily and focus your week on the
coming Lord’s Day: plan, pray, and focus on the goodness of Jesus. Yes, many
times we do not feel like we are sincere and that feeling may bother us.
Nonetheless, all Christians, at times, feel we are just mouthing words and it bothers
us.
When you feel
insincere in your devotion to Jesus:
a. Always remember the reason it bothers you:
God put in your heart to be open and honest and sincere before Him.
Accordingly, in one sense, it’s a good sign that your insincerity troubles you.
Around the
period when I first came to Jesus, a friend invited me to a false church and I
did not participate in its ceremonies; my lack of involvement did not disturb
me because it was not a godly service. On the other hand, within Christian
worship, Christians will not feel right when they lack sincerity and focus.
b. When you feel bad, a bit troubled, by a
lack of heartfelt worship; pause and then focus on Jesus: His person, His
attributes, and His work. Soon you will regain a genuineness and zest for worship.
c. Do not base your faith on your feelings;
your feelings change and can often flow from sinful dispositions.
2.
Reach
out to others (especially widows, orphans, and the needy): be a servant for
King Jesus. James the half-brother of Jesus named himself a servant of Christ.
3.
Guard
your tongue. Disavow ungodly speech and gossip.
4.
Keep
yourself unspotted from the world. Turn away from the sinful ways of the world.
5.
Obey
God’s Word. Jesus said in John 14:15: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
6.
Always
focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2): Ponder how good He is to you and how he saved
you by grace through the cross and His resurrection.
Xerxes the king of Persia once boarded a boat.
Later it began to sink because there were too many men aboard. The ship started
sinking; sinking more and more; it appeared that all aboard would drown. But an
officer called out to the shipmen: “Are you not willing to sacrifice and die
for your king?” Suddenly almost all the men leaped out of the boat into the
water and drowned in order to save their king.
The question for Christians: How much will
you sacrifice for your King? Most Christians will not be called to forfeit
their life for their faith, but how much will you sacrifice in order to serve
others for your King?
We should aim to serve King Jesus and love
others since James calls an undefiled and pure religion one that helps the
widows and the poor.
Jesus Came and Gave Himself for His People
Jesus comes to His sheep by His glorious
grace through His Word and Spirit to save us. Jesus “gave Himself for me”
(Titus 3).
Christians ought to ponder:
·
Trouble
comes—but Jesus came.
·
Failure
comes—but Jesus came.
·
Problems
and pain come—but Jesus came.
And Jesus Christ
comes to bring peace, joy, hope, and cheerfulness to all who trust Him (Romans
5:1 & 15:13). Today give Jesus full swing of your heart as He declares to
you that He will pardon every sin; heal every wound; and overcome every
trouble. Christ comes, swiftly, in a full gallop upon His victory horse to
triumph for His people. Yearn for Him and you will find peace for your soul no
matter how things unfold.
As the deer pants for the water, so my
soul pants for you, O God (Psalm 42:1).
For more see my
apologetics Devotional book Jesus Savior, Friend, and Lord on Amazon HERE at:
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