God's Word never contradicts itself. Action accompanies belief. And I am not talking about OT laws. I am referring to NT instructions:
"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.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:18-19
Jesus words clearly depict belief requires action:
Matt 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
We have the imputed confidence of Christ as the Son of man,.(Philippians 1:6) He was faithful to work the will of the father .His three day labor of love or work of faith completely satisfied the just demands of the law.
James 2 informs us even the devil believes in one God but is not subject to salvation as mankind so they have no understanding how it works and no hope.. The ones that did not leave their first place habitation long to look into grace as a wonderment.. The ones that did leave tremble knowing there end is certain.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead?James2:19-20
Not Christ's work of faith it has plenty of Spirit life, the work he performed was perfect revealing the faith he had as a hope became complete a or perfect also. This is to demonstrate the faith of God (What God believes) and the work of God are inseparable. What he says comes to pass . The "mark" or signature of His word. We have a privilege to work with that which does mutually work in all.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?James2:21
According to the context of that parable beginning with a warning in James 2:1. the commandment do not have the unseen faith of Christ in respect to man seen .verse 7 informs us those who do blaspheme the name by which they are called. That I believe sets the standard for the rest of the chapter. Using two witnesses to establish his point, that faith without works has no life to offer .Rehab and Abraham. Abraham who is used to typify our unseen father, and Isaac to typify the Son of man the father and son working mutually together (Isaiah 53) It justified the Spirit of Christ within. It faithfully worked just as in Rehab and Abraham as the same Spirt of Christ. The same faith of Christ spoken of in Romans 1 that mutually worked in two to bring the gift that comforted both. .His Spirit witnesses to our new spirits
Note... my
(addition)
Seest thou how
faith (Christ's) wrought with
his(Christ's) works, and by
(Christ's) works was
(Christ's) faith made perfect? James2:22
See how the faith of Christ worked with his works and by works His faith was made complete. He did not just say something and not move to prove the mark of his word.
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.Ye see then how that by
(Christ's) works a man is justified, and not by
(Christ's) faith only.James2:23-24
Our new faith is not without the works of Christ, our faithful Creator. He is our rest. he promises us he will not forget the good works we do offer towards his name. Do all things without murmuring and disputing.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as
the body without the
spirit is dead, so faith without
works is dead also. James2:25-26
No spirit, no works.
know the spirit, know the works of it.
Imputed faith = imputed righteousness.
For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings
hilippians 2:13-14
I find it interesting how that verse ends. It is like a faithful father or in my case a Mom telling the 9 children..... fight nice a picture of grace.