SPECIAL PRÉCIS ON TRUE SPIRITUALITY: AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY’S ABANDONMENT OF “THE LEAST OF THESE”

SCRIPTURE. “Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.” – JAMES 1:27, AMP

KEY TERMS:

• “LOOK AFTER.” ‘Episkeptomai’ [ἐπισκέπτεσθαι]: “To inspect, to select, by extension, to go and see (visit) in order to bring relief.” NOTE: “The verb ‘ἐπισκέπτομαι’ primarily means … ‘To look after’ with an implication of care and concern. It is used in the New Testament to describe both divine and human actions of visiting or overseeing with the intent of providing help, comfort, or judgment. The term conveys a sense of intentionality and purpose in the act of visiting, often associated with compassion or responsibility.”

• “REMAIN UNCONTAMINATED.” ‘Aspilos’ [ἄσπιλον]: “Unblemished (moral or physical), without spot [or wrinkle].” NOTE: “The Greek word ‘aspilos’ is used to describe something that is free from moral or physical blemish. In the New Testament, it often refers to purity and moral integrity, emphasizing the absence of sin or corruption. It conveys the idea of being untainted and pure, both in character and in one’s spiritual state.”

QUOTATION. “We need to make some dramatic, concrete moves to escape the Materialism that seeps into our minds via diabolically clever and incessant advertising. We have been brainwashed to believe that bigger houses, more prosperous businesses, and more sophisticated gadgets are the way to joy and fulfillment. As a result, we are caught in an absurd, Materialistic Spiral. The more we make, the more we think we need in order to live decently and respectably. Somehow, we have to break this Cycle because it makes us sin against our needy brothers and sisters and, therefore, against our Lord. And it also destroys us. ‘Sharing with others is the way to real joy.’” ― DR. RONALD J. SIDER,Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity, 2015; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘To visit the fatherless (or, orphans) and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.’—Here is the double proof of the perfect life of holiness, the Savour whereof is as perpetual incense before the Throne of God. And the Help afforded to the helpless, put thus in the first place of the two requirements, will often bring about the second—namely, that spotless condition of unworldliness which marks, and will ever mark, the True Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Deeds of Benevolence may be and are often done by those who are not His; but all who truly belong to Him must live a life which praises Him continually in good works; not, it is hardly needful to say, as a Cause—but rather the natural and inevitable Result of Love for Him, warming the heart within.

Scrupulous indeed were the ‘Religious’ contemporaries of James; they would not enter where the image of Divus Cæsar had its votive flame, while they were ceremonially clean for the keeping of their Passover—’They went not into the Judgment Hall lest they should be defiled’ (John 18:28). But He whom there they cruelly sought to slay had told them before, though in vain, ‘That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man’ (Mark 7:20), and ‘Nothing from without can defile him’ (James 1:15). What an eternal caution may be learned here against cold reliance upon ritual! What an instance, ever, under all varieties and forms, to be applied to themselves by the erring; persecuting, and deceitful sons of men!

While, on the other hand, from these words of the wise Apostle we may be sure what is truest, nay, the only True Service, acceptable and accepted, of the Most High—‘To visit the fatherless and the widow,’ beholding in them a new image of Christ, the Man of Sorrows, is to show pity verily to Him; and at the last such ‘pure religion’ will receive His own approval. ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto Me’ (Matthew 25:40). Blessed be the ears attuned to catch the Golden Cadence, for it rings in angel voices round the soothers of the sick and sorrow-laden even now!” – CHARLES ELLICOTT, An Old and New Testament Commentary for English Readers, 1878, 1897; edited

DK’S TAKE. To state what should be the most despicably obvious, the White American Church has shamelessly exchanged this Gospel for the ‘Gospel of Donald Trump,’ the villainously corrupted Billionaire and his billionaire contemporaries. All of whom are at this writing on April 6, 2025, recklessly eviscerating all priorities and programs designed to give aid, shelter and comfort to:

“The least of these.”

• “THE LEAST.” ‘Elachistos’ [ἐλαχίστων]: “The smallest in terms of dignity.” NOTE:“The term ‘elachistos’ is used in the New Testament to denote the smallest or least in size, amount, importance, or rank. It often conveys a sense of humility or insignificance in comparison to something greater. In a biblical context, it can refer to the least in the kingdom of God, the least of the commandments, or the least among people.”

• COMMENTARY.  “‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren.’—The Words are true, in different degrees of intensity, in proportion as the relationship is consciously recognised, of every member of the Family of Man. Of all it is true that He, the Lord, Who took their flesh and blood, ‘is not ashamed to call them brethren’ (Hebrews 2:11). We have here, in its highest and Divinest Form, that Utterance of Sympathy which we admire even in one of like passions with ourselves. We find that He too ‘counts nothing human alien from Himself.’” – C. ELLICOTT, 1878, 1897; edited

CODA. Beloved, we have been taught all our lives that America was founded principally for the ‘Freedom of Religious Expression and Worship,’ and that is partly true. Certainly the Puritans at Plymouth Bay in 1620 were seeking such relief from the British Crown and Anglican Church. But the Plantations at St. Augustine, Florida in 1585 and Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 cannot by any stretch make the same claims.

“While both St. Augustine and Jamestown were established with the aim of economic gain, Jamestown was explicitly founded by the Virginia Company, a joint-stock company, with the primary goal of profit for its investors, while St. Augustine was founded by Spain to block French and English expansion and to spread Christianity, with an economic component focused on agriculture, fisheries, naval stores, and shipbuilding.” – EDITORS, AI Overview, ret. April 6, 2025; edited

‘Since our Founding, the very Birth of “The American Dream” is inextricably bound up with Material Increase.’ To deny that is to spit in the very Face of God by proclaiming that we are “A Christian Nation,” devoted to Jesus Christ and His Gospel in every way conceivable while beating ourselves to death to make money!

CODICIL. Let me remind you that God Hates Liars! “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” – PROVERBS 6:16, KJV

So let’s view the entire MAGA Christian Nationalism Movement for what it truly is, beloved, in preparation for His Soon Arrival: ‘A Political Strategy designed to invest political power and economic controls in the hands of a small Oligarchy, led by The Antichrist, Donald John Trump.’

I have simply run out of time to mince words anymore, my friends. ‘Do as He Instructs, and no less.’