James is full of practical and pastoral challenges to the emerging New Testament church.  Can we say we truly love someone if we never show it?  Don’t we show love to others we are close to by making real and concrete sacrifices small and large on their behalf?  Likewise, James makes plain in his direct and colorful way that the faith we have in God will also be shown by what we do… how we actually live.  Just like love and sacrifice are two sides of a coin, faith and deeds together make us whole and complete as believers and followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.