James 2:14-26 is ALL about the fact that faith is made up of TWO essential components:
BELIEF and WORKS, which is the obedience part. Either one on its own is worthless (dead).
The Faith that you give God, originally, that He accepts to save you, is not "two" components.
So, don't confuse "justification by faith", with "two components", as that would not be scriptural.
When we look at James, he's not talking about the Faith that God accepted when you originally Trusted in Christ.
James is talking about, your walk of faith....your DISCIPLESHIP.
And if this is not a living and functioning situation, then you are cold to God, backslidden, which is proof that your discipleship is not engaged = Dead faith.
James says...."I'll show YOU my faith by my works".
He does not say he will show GOD, his faith, and this is the context of the verse that 100% of Christians miss.
James says...."I'll show YOU, my faith"..."YOU".
The YOU< is the people..
So, that is the context.....We are to show our faith before others....as that is how our FRUIT is SEEN.
That is what James is talking about when he is stressing "works"... "Works" as FRUIT, that faith is ALIVE, .... and you do this before others, or as James says...>"I'll show YOU my faith".