EGW WritingsJames 1

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 98, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 98, 1893, par. 16

But among all whose needs demand our interest, the widow and the fatherless have the strongest claims upon our tender sympathy and care. “Pure and undefiled religion 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.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 104, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 104, 1894, par. 4

“Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God.” “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 4:4; 1:27.] “I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil.” [John 17:14, 15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 13, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 13, 1896, par. 6

Do you confess Christ by visiting the sick, the needy, and the poor? “Pure religion and undefiled before the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.] Do your works testify, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” [Galatians 2:20.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 22, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 22, 1898, par. 9

Christ was an active, constant worker. He found the domain of religion fenced in by high, steep walls of seclusion, as too sacred a matter for everyday life. He threw down the walls of partition, and exercised His helping power in behalf of every one who needed Him. He brought cheerfulness and hope to the desponding. In the place of secluding Himself in a hermit’s cell, in order to show His heavenly character, He labored earnestly for suffering humanity. He did not ask, What is your creed? To what church do you belong? Active, earnest, loving interest marked His life. He inculcated the principle that Bible religion does not consist in the mortification of the body, in punishment for being in a world which God made. He taught that pure and undefiled religion is not meant only for set times and special occasions. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 72, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 72, 1898, par. 4

“Wash you, make you clean: put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” [Isaiah 1:16, 17.] “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.] The widow and the fatherless are the objects of the Lord’s special care, and those who in any way rob them of the means they should have, those who regard their wants with indifference, will be dealt with by the Judge of all the earth. Men cannot receive God’s favor while they are unfeeling and selfish. The Lord will test His people as individuals. He will not suffer His heritage to be oppressed. Shall He not avenge His own elect, “which cry day and night unto him? ... I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” [Luke 18:7, 8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 105, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 105, 1898, par. 21

The greed of the monied man increases as it is indulged, and this spirit will rule the church unless its members are followers of Christ. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction and keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.]

13LtMs, Ms 105, 1898, par. 32

That faith which works by love and purifies the soul is to be revealed among God’s people. The Lord has no commendation for those who were lording it over God’s heritage. He sets His face against every such work. He blows upon all Pharisaical forms and prayers and ceremonies. Religion, what is it unless the experimental elements of piety are revealed in deep heart service because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: that ye visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and keep yourself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 48, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 48, 1899, par. 10

The work of the minister is incomplete if he does not educate the souls newly come to the faith to be laborers together with God, visiting and praying with families, showing to the world what Jesus has done for them. God’s Word declares, “Pure and undefiled religion 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.] These words are addressed not only to the minister, but to every follower of Christ. There are sluggards all through our churches, who frame excuses for their idleness. God calls not only on the minister, but on every soul connected with him, to be a worker in His vineyard. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] By His own life Jesus has paid for your earnest, hearty co-operation. He expects you to work, every one who has passed from death unto life. If you do not work as faithful missionaries, you are untrue to your trust, and you disappoint your Saviour.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 145, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 145, 1899, par. 19

“He that hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” [Proverbs 19:17.] “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosoms. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” [Luke 6:38.] “True 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.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]

MR No. 1063—Eat and Drink to the Glory of God

13MR 340.1

Let not this matter be treated indifferently. Those who explain the truth to others are themselves to be examples of the work that God requires to be done in the individual character. They are to be a living exposition of the word, “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].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 147, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 147, 1900, par. 2

What saith the Scriptures? “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.] When your mother desired your presence, the very best missionary work you could have done would have been to answer her call and go to her aid. Living the truth day by day in her presence, you might have been the means of her conversion. Her being an unbeliever does not change the command of God to love your mother and listen to her pleadings.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 49, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 49, 1902, par. 10

The truly honorable are those who devote their lives to the uplifting of their fellow men to glorify God. The man who lays aside selfish interests in order to bring happiness to others; who binds up the broken-hearted, who brings life and immortality to light before those who know not Christ, who does all he can to benefit his fellow men, using his capabilities for God, is the man who will hear the “Well done” from the Master. [Matthew 25:21.] “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.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 32, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 32, 1903, par. 10

Who can truthfully say, “Our gold is tried in the fire; our garments are unspotted from the world”? [See Revelation 3:18; James 1:27.] I saw our great Instructor pointing to the garments of so-called righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the spotted, defiled garments beneath. The corruption was unbearable. Then He said to me, “Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of character?” “How is the faithful city become an harlot!” [Isaiah 1:21.] “My Father’s house” made “an house of merchandise,” a place whence the divine Presence and glory have departed! [John 2:16.] For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 49, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 49, 1907, par. 20

The Lord calls us to act as His almoners; we are His appointed agencies to supply the needs of humanity. If our interest in worldly things so absorbs our attention that we have no time to give to blessing our fellow men, our religion is not one that the Word of God can sustain. “Pure religion before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 [Nos. 921-999]

MR No. 969—Faithfulness in Confessing Christ

12MR 229.2

Do you confess Christ by visiting the sick, the needy, and the poor? “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]. Do your works testify, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”? [Galatians 2:20].

My Life Today

Visit Fatherless and Widows, August 23

ML 239.1

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27.

Our Father Cares

Deposits in the Bank of Heaven, March 20

OFC 91.1

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.

Reflecting Christ

The Highway to Health, May 27

RC 161.6

The mind should be drawn away from self; it powers should be exercised in devising means to make others happier and better. “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).

Reflecting Christ

“Pure Religion” and “My Neighbor” Defined, August 26

RC 252.1

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.