Acceptable religion

This is NOT about salvation per-se.

Acceptable religion to God for Christians is:

James 1:27 New International Version (NIV)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I think this could be simply extrapolated to helping others in our neighbourhood who need our help and not getting soiled and sullied by the corruption and immortality of the world around us.

I find this interesting because of its simplicity and the way the faith of the Christian is channelled into acceptable good works before God but without any proselytising. Just make a point of helping people.

Originally posted by @divegeester
This is NOT about salvation per-se.

Acceptable religion to God for Christians is:

James 1:27 New International Version (NIV)
[b]Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I think this could be simply extrapolate ...[text shortened]... ptable good works before God but without any proselytising. Just make a point of helping people.[/b]

Originally posted by @divegeester
This is NOT about salvation per-se.

Acceptable religion to God for Christians is:

James 1:27 New International Version (NIV)
[b]Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I think this could be simply extrapolate ...[text shortened]... ptable good works before God but without any proselytising. Just make a point of helping people.[/b]

Originally posted by @divegeester

I think this could be simply extrapolated to helping others in our neighbourhood who need our help and not getting soiled and sullied by the corruption and immortality of the world around us

Does anyone have an opinion on why God had James write one book of the New Testament while having Paul write thirteen?

This is a question for mainly those who regard God's sovereignty over the writing of the New Testament books. I am not interested in an atheistic opinion on this.

Originally posted by @sonship
Does anyone have an opinion on why God had [b]James write one book of the New Testament while having Paul write thirteen?

This is a question for mainly those who regard God's sovereignty over the writing of the New Testament books. I am not interested in an atheistic opinion on this.[/b]

Originally posted by @sonship

I think this could be simply extrapolated to helping others in our neighbourhood who need our help and not getting soiled and sullied by the corruption and immortality of the world around us

I think you mean "immorality of the world around us" rather than immortality.

Originally posted by @sonship
Does anyone have an opinion on why God had [b]James write one book of the New Testament while having Paul write thirteen?

This is a question for mainly those who regard God's sovereignty over the writing of the New Testament books. I am not interested in an atheistic opinion on this.[/b]

Originally posted by @sonship

I think this could be simply extrapolated to helping others in our neighbourhood who need our help and not getting soiled and sullied by the corruption and immortality of the world around us

I think you mean "immorality of the world around us" rather than immortality.

Originally posted by @sonship
Does anyone have an opinion on why God had [b]James write one book of the New Testament while having Paul write thirteen?

This is a question for mainly those who regard God's sovereignty over the writing of the New Testament books. I am not interested in an atheistic opinion on this.[/b]

Originally posted by @suzianne
My favorite bit of James is this:
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." - James 1:5-7 KJV

Originally posted by @divegeester
Are you suggesting that weight of text infers weight of truth?

"And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

And having greeted them, he related one by one the things which God did among the Gentiles through his ministry.

And when they heard it, they glorified God and said to him, You observe brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and all are zealous for the law." (vs. 18-20)

"And they have been informed concerning you that you are teaching all the Jews throughout the nations apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk according to the customs.

What is to be done? They will certianly hear that you have come." (vs.21,22)

The rumors were running wild that Paul was against the Law of Moses which distorted the nature of the gospel of grace. It appears that James and associates boasted of thousands in the church there who were zealous for law keeping. He convinced Paul to quell the rumors by himself participating in an old covenant ritual. (A plan which completely blew up in his face).

There was a mixture in Jerusalem under the influence of the very pious James. And he was a very righteous and dedicated disciple. And being the natural brother of Jesus, it is understandable that they tended to look to James for leadership of the new "movement".

But James had one foot in the old way and one foot in the new way. And the mixture held Paul back. Paul had more clarity as to what God was doing with the new covenant.

So I think along with bulk text we also have other evidences that Paul's contribution to the New Testament is more important than James'. Again, this is not to say that James has not weight.

Originally posted by @divegeester
This is NOT about salvation per-se.

Acceptable religion to God for Christians is:

James 1:27 New International Version (NIV)
[b]Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I think this could be simply extrapolate ...[text shortened]... ptable good works before God but without any proselytising. Just make a point of helping people.[/b]