I think I posted the verses before on here, one claiming Abraham was declared righteous on belief the other being declared righteous and justified by his work on the offering of Isaac. I know you don't agree with me on this.
Not before God.
Works can only show as EVIDENCE (not proof) before MAN.
Our justification has ZERO to do with works of righteousness which we do.
James knew this. James was rebuking nominal Christians who talk the talk but don't walk the walk, not helping in practical ways and being partial to rich folk...
Jesus used one principal that was similar with the rich young man who didn't feel safe like nominal Christians who see grace as their free sin ticket, he felt safe because he thought he upheld the law...🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Jesus didn't ask him to give his wealth because wealth is bad... look at job or david...
He exposed where the young mans heart was.
The work of giving the wealth wouldn't save him.... or aid in his salvation one bit...
The offering of Isaac was mentioned (james 2:21) was part of the main point being JUST LIKE RAHAB that your FAITH ought to be SEEN by your works
Believers know it is God who saves us.
That is a separate issue from appearing to not have been made a new creature.
You can not prove to me you are saved. It is impossible.
But you can certainly behave in ways which make you look like you don't know God or love Him. (or vise versa)
A member of Christs body which is VOID of any sort of work of righteousness, a loveless walk, would before man who can not see the heart.... seem to be a faker...
Peter denied Jesus -> lack of a righteous work and it was seen before man as lack of faith. (not justified as a believer before man in this instance... unlike abraham or rahab in their listed examples)
In james there is teaching AGAINST a loveless walk(lack of righteous works) and to SHOW the love of God in us as witnesses. (His body)
"
18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. "
James was not teaching faith + works salvation.
He was talking about how a faith without works is worthless and how can you even claim to have faith if you can't back it up...
(not that you need to back it up to be saved)
He is well aware of sapplings not yet showing much fruit, and our brothers and sisters who may stumble or not be doing as well as they ought to... he knows their only hope is Gods mercy just like his only Hope is Gods mercy
You can't just throw books out of the bible you don't like...