We must first repent (change our mind) before we can trust in Him for redemption. Repentance precedes trusting in Him for redemption. Repent-'-change our mind--new direction of this change of mind--trust in Him for redemption. Two sides to the same coin. (Acts 20:21)We are commanded to repent apart from trusting in Him for redemption.
Believing in Jesus for redemption is not a work that merits salvation. Through believing we are trusting in Another's work (Christ's finished work of redemption). Paul makes a distinction between faith and works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)This mental conviction is a work. It is not baked into the belief of Jesus as Savior.
So, you believe that we are saved by grace through faith and works? (in contradiction to Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9).Faith is not the sole agency of redemption.
Sure it is. James said says/claims (key word) to have faith in )James 2:14).A dead faith is not as you have described a "empty profession of faith".
It's without deeds because it's not alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2:5-10) Apart from Christ we can do nothing. (John 15:5) Something that is dead cannot produce anything. It takes a good tree to bear good fruit. (Matthew 7:17)A dead faith is a faith without deeds.
Sure she had sincere faith which was evidenced by her works but we must not put the cart before the horse.Rahab had sincere faith in the God of the Hebrews but without her deeds her faith was dead.
Sure it was real and her faith was not an empty profession. It was evidenced by her works. Rahab showed her faith by her works (James 2:18) just as all genuine believers do.Her faith was not a "empty profession of faith", it was real, it was sincere but it was not enough to save her.
In Romans 4:2-3, we read - For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it (faith, not works) was accounted to him for righteousness. Be sure to read Romans 4:2-6.
Now, do you believe that Abraham was saved when he believed God in Genesis 15:6 or not until many years later by works, after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22? What do you believe "justified by works" in James 2:21 means? Accounted as righteous/saved by works or shown to be righteous by works?