James 1:27
Introduction:
1. We will come back to the little weasel in the title after laying some groundwork.
2. First, we must recall one of God’s central tenets for His people throughout time.
Discussion:
I. The Call
A. Holiness is the chief pursuit of Christianity (2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
B. Peter highlighted that this is done in emulation of the Lord who called us (cf. Leviticus 11:44; 19:2).
II. The Provision
A. God provided the means of our purification in Christ (Psalms 119:9; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:17-21; 2:9-10, 22-23).
B. This is true of initial salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and ongoing purification (Acts 8:22; James 5:15-16, 19-20; 1 John 1:7-9).
III. The Determination
A. The motivation is eternity with God (1 John 3:1-3), unattainable without holiness (Hebrews 12:14).
B. This demands we pursue holiness/purity above all (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Jude 23; Revelation 3:4-5).
C. The ermine refuses to soil its coat:
1. Hunters smear grime around their burrows.
2. The ermine chose to face the hunters’ dogs to avoid soiling its coat.
D. This is the mindset that empowers the faithful to overcome unconquerable odds (cf. Genesis 39; Exodus 2:11-22; Daniel 4, 6; Matthew 4; Acts 4-5; 7; etc.).
Conclusion:
1. Pure religion before God demands we care for the helpless while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
2. Like the ermine, we must abhor all that defiles if we are to receive the eternal blessings prepared (Romans 12:9; Hebrews 11:24-26; Revelation 2:10; 3:4-5).
3. Such a big lesson to learn from such a tiny little creature.