James 2:18-22

James 2:18 - Having faith is something that you prove by what you do.  Your actions speak louder than any words you might express.  It is not one or the other, but both.  A person shows that they have faith by the way they live their lives.

James 2:19 - Believing alone is not good enough.  It is a good start to believe there is one God.  However, even the Devil believes there is one God.  The devil fears God and God's power.  So believing alone isn't enough.  You must strive to live your life as you believe God would want you to.  He is a caring, compassionate God who wants to help us.  That is a good start for how to view and treat those you encounter in your life... including the teacher's assistant or head cook.

James 2:20 - It is foolish to try to ignore this.  It is foolish to push away the knowledge that faith alone isn't enough.  To continue to live as you have without becoming a better person for God is still pretty much a death sentence.  To not want to, nor seek to, is a death sentence.  I know that we all mess up, but to outright say, "My faith alone is enough.  I won't try..."  is wrong.

James 2:21 - Abraham didn't just believe in God.  We all know he had faith in God because he talked to him.  He acted on that faith when he offered his only son as a sacrifice to God when God asked it of him.  He acted.  He had faith and he acted on that faith.

James 2:22 - How you behave and act goes hand in hand with faith.  By having works, faith becomes perfect.  It requires not just the mental part of your brain, but the physical aspect of you as well.  The entire being that makes up you is in tune to God.  Yes, you are human, but you are a human that God has saved because you gave Him your mind and body.