by Tim Hall

One thing every conscientious Christian desires is to have pure religion in the sight of God. We know God's attitude toward the hypocrite, so we strive to have faith that is genuine. As a result, James 1:27 has received appropriate attention: "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" (NKJV).

A major aspect of pure religion, according to James, is to "visit" orphans and widows. The reason for such a command is understandable: these are people who have few, if any, resources; they are vulnerable, easily exploited by the unscrupulous. How to carry out the command, however, is not always so clear.

How exactly does one "visit" such hapless people? Some Christians limit their response to times when the need presents itself before them. If an orphan or a widow should knock on their door begging for help, they would respond with kindness. But how often will that happen? When we live in patrolled suburbs or gated communities, how can the poor reach our doorsteps?

We should note that the word for "visit" comes from a Greek root that means "to inspect" or "to look". Consider another instance of the same root word in Acts 6. A situation of neglect had arisen in the early church, yet the apostles did not feel it advisable to "leave the word of God" to attend to more mundane (yet important) matters. What was their proposal? "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:3).

Imagine this response: "All right, Peter, we'll keep our eyes open for such men. If anyone stops by our house and they appear to be qualified, we'll let you know." Such a passive approach to seeking out servants would not have been acceptable. An aggressive search was what the apostles had in mind. And that is the nature of the word that is translated "seek out" -- the same word translated in James 1:27 as "visit".

It's also the same root found in Hebrews 12:15: "Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God ... " Does that look like a passive stance or an aggressive one? No one would argue that "looking diligently" is anything less than aggressive. Again, it's from the same Greek word elsewhere translated "visit."

Our point is simple: Visiting the orphans and the widows means more than helping when they cross our paths. The command also means that we are ever sensitive to needs around us. We seek to stay in touch with those who are without parents or without husbands. It's more than "Call me if I can ever be of help." It means we'll take the time to go where they live so we may personally inspect their situations.

Let's make one final observation: This is the way God deals with us. The Hebrew writer quoted David in Hebrews 2:6: "But one testified in a certain place, saying: 'What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you take care of him?'" "Take care of him" is "visit him" in the KJV; in the Greek, it's the same word found in James 1:27. If God is aggressive in looking out for our needs, we should be willing to do the same for one another.

Now, let's really practice pure religion.

Sovereign God who defies our imagination, nothing is impossible with you. We look at our circumstances, at our heart's hidden sins, at our ingrained habits, at the world's resistance to the gospel truth, and wonder how can things ever be different than they are. Even though it seems impossible to us, who know you best as your people in this world, you remind us that it doesn't seem impossible to you, the Lord of hosts.

Act, then, Lord, beyond our most cherished dreams, outside of our deepest hopes, past our wildest imagination, to bring to pass your will and transform not only our hearts and hands and tongues, but our world as well, to draw out from it a people who grow ever stronger, ever greater, ever more powerful in your Spirit and confident in your Son. Because he did the impossible. Amen.

[Pertinent passages: Zec. 8:6, NRSV]