Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
If “Faith Without Works is Dead,” Then Saving-Faith Must First Exist
We read in James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Notice that faith without works is “ALONE.” That is, faith still exists, even without works. It would be ridiculous for someone to say, “The dog is dead,” if there were no actual dog. So in order for faith to be dead, it must exist. Hence, works are not necessary for salvation. This is Biblical. Catholics, in particular, like to misquote James 2:17 in an attempt to justify salvation BY WORKS. The apostle James was not teaching that works are required to complete one's salvation; but rather, works are necessary to justify our faith IN THE EYES OF MEN.
James 2:18, “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 said, “I'll show you,” he didn't say “I'll show God.” Only God can see into a man's heart, which is why we are justified by believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our heart (Romans 10:10). But man can only see outwardly, which is why works are necessary to show our faith to the world.
This Scripture passage in James chapter 2:17-21 can be easily misinterpreted. James 2:20-21, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”
Here is solid evidence that Abraham was NOT saved by works...
Romans 4:1-6, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.”
Notice Romans 4:2, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” Do you see? If Abraham were justified by works, it would not be BEFORE GOD. That is, not in God's sight. Man cannot be justified by works in God's sight. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that God justifies THE UNGODLY, without works, because a man's FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!
