“Revelation is God’s Word, in all its forms…religion is how humans respond.”
It’s a little simplistic, but I still remember feeling a bit gobsmacked by the notion that religion is human-created. I’d never really considered the idea seriously, but I sort of assumed there was something supernaturally-ordained in the rituals and processes of organized religion. Totally new, this concept that God reveals Himself and we create our best response.
This clarification helps me understand James’ words:
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.
James 1:27
If I want my response to God’s word to be “pure and faultless” I must (1)
look after orphans and widows in their distress, and (2) remain unpolluted by the world.
I’m working (and mostly failing) at anti-pollution. Part (1), though, is pretty clear: God desires a response based on justice.
For me, that’s why the FREEDOM TOUR supports the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. It’s not about some feel-good notion of doing good, or operating out of feeling guilty, or superiority that lets us feel sorry for these poor children.
We’re here to create a community, a bunch of crazy folks who like to ride bikes and want to follow Jesus. People tend to join us for the bike riding, but they come back again and again for the relationships – with each other and with Jesus.
We seek justice because it’s at the core of Jesus’ heart. It’s biblical, the kind of pure religion God desires.
We cycle to bring hope and freedom
to kids rescued from human trafficking.
We hope you’ll join us. Please visit our website ( https://frontrangefreedomtour.org/ ) and discover the possibilities.