True Religion

I have conflicting feelings when I hear the term 'religion' used. Often it is used negatively--as a synonym for ignorance or hypocrisy. Other times it can refer to an ingrained pattern of behavior that has nothing to do with spiritual matters, like to describe the regularity with which I drink coffee or pick up a book. Dictionary.com's first entry for 'religion' reads: "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." One of my favorite definitions of religion comes from the Book of James, chapter 1:26-27:

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Here's the irony though--I hate hearing mainstream culture describe Christian religion as worthless or ignorant or hypocritical, but if I evaluate my "religion" according to James' criteria, I find mine to be just that: tainted, hindered, ineffectual and stained. How often do I dishonor Christ by not bridling my tongue (often); how often do I visit orphans and widows in their distress (never); and how well am I keeping myself unstained by the world (not very well).

How do I remedy this? James has an answer for this in 4:7-10: "Submit yourselves therefore to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."