Are you saying Abraham was righteous because he obeyed God's commands by faith?
If we remove the obedience is there still the righteousness? What if there was no faith?
Why does Paul say not by works in Romans? What are those works?
James' lesson presupposes the reader is
already "of the faith", while Paul in the Romans passage is speaking about what's necessary
to be saved. So for us today (i.e. we believers) James' guidance in his writings apply to us more right now than what Paul says in Romans. We are already of the faith, but there is a process of growing to perfect our faith that we must walk out.
Notice in James that he say in James 2:12
"So speak, and do, as they that shall be judged BY the LAW of liberty."
Speak and do as someone who will be judged...James doesn't say speak and do BECAUSE you will be judged. In other words, james is saying it's time to walk one's talk.
Now regarding Abraham; I'm not saying anything I just want to post again what James says to see how you interpret it
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 See thou how faith wrought with his works, and BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
The question I ask is, if all Abraham had to do was believe why does James say this about Abraham as an example that "faith without works is dead"? It's because James is speaking about "perfecting" one's faith. Sanctification. Walking in Holiness.
Genesis 22:18
"And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
Faith = Salvation
Obedience (i.e. faith with works) = Holiness