Pure Religion

Jas 1:27 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.

I got to thinking about religion today as the continuing saga of Tiger Woods has been unfolding before us on the 24/7 news networks.

I have a million thoughts concerning the poor guy, his wife and his children. Here are just a few...
1. We are all human, and therefore subject to moral failure (see: "transgressions")
2. We don't really know what's going on in their family, just what he leaks out on his website. Even then, we tend to read between the lines and speculate, otherwise, I could not continue these thoughts.
3. For the past ten years, millions of people have literally wanted to be Tiger Woods, right now, nobody wants to be Tiger Woods. Strange how fickle fans can be.
4. Sin not only eats away at your life, but the lives of many innocent people around you.
5. I wish I had an Escalade to crash!
6. Why was it a Caddy and not a Buick???
7. Golf club…meant for the vehicle’s glass or the husband’s privates?
8. A wildly popular, super rich, great looking, best of the best athlete will be hounded to no end, but will get a pass in the end. That’s okay, I am all about contrition and 2nd chances.
9. Have you seen Tiger's wife? What was he thinking? People have got to quit buying into "the grass is greener" syndrome. Drink waters out of your own cistern.

But my number one thought in all of this, if this were a famous, professed "Christian," his faith would be called into question. Christianity would be attacked. The word "hypocrite" would be all over people's lips. But wait a minute, where is the denigration of Buddhism now that one it's most famous adherents has "transgressed?" It's all over the news, "he's human." Duh! Are not Christians that sin also "human?" Do people curse the Buddha when a professed believer transgresses? Nah! But let a Bible-thumping evangelical or a "Christian" politician get caught with his pants down and it is the Christian faith which takes the bashing.

The best thing is to just live out a pure religion before our God. Busy yourself visiting and helping those in need and keep your nose clean. And when we do fail, love covers a multitude of sins.

By the way, long drives, great chip shots and consistent drives are icing on the cake.