[Nell]

James wrote his letter to the 12 tribes…Jewish Christians. His book to the Jewish Christians addresses faith and works, so he references Abraham and Rahab—two people they know quite well, but were clearly non-Christians.

James 2:20-24 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Abraham and Rahab were not regenerated but they both believed in Jehovah God. They both performed good works to/for Him and his people because of their belief. James’ discourse on faith and works, was not to pick which one “wins”, but to emphasize that both are necessary.

James 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

In the New Testament it can be the same: faith and actions without salvation (as Ohio noted). However, unlike the OT, in the NT, “you must be born again.” Your salvation includes faith in Jesus Christ who died for your sins. This puts the book of James in perspective for me. Faith and works in the book of James was in the context of the Old Testament, exclusive of eternal salvation. Since the Jewish Christians didn't need the gospel of salvation, that wasn't James' emphasis. Moving on from salvation, James' book covering faith and works makes perfect sense to me.

Nell