James 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."
James 1:27


I think this is interesting because it is defining religion... and it isn't just talking about personal perfection, but says that we are also required to help each other through hard things... to support people less fortunate than ourselves... goes along with the whole Zion idea.  We aren't working towards some heaven where we sit around and sing and play the harp all day.  We are working towards a better community... a perfect community.  and all the people around us can be there too... and we aren't going there alone.  if we don't help and encourage each other to go there, and if we don't help and encourage each other through *this* life... then we will have no perfect community, and thus, no heaven... I think it is interesting that God specifically talks about people who have lost family... that we, in effect, need to be their family... take care of people who don't have others to care about them... part of all being connected.