The problem is that you try to separate faith from works.
The problem is that you basically make no distinction between faith and works. You seem to wrap both faith and works up in a package and simply stamp "faith" on the package. Faith is the root of salvation and works are the fruit, but according to you, both faith and works are the root of salvation.
You say it is the evidence of faith (which is a contradictory statement by you), and if so… then it is not separate from the faith.
Works are the evidence of faith, but not the very essence of faith, so works are separate from faith. Faith is faith and works are works. No contradiction at all.
For James says he will SHOW you his faith by his works (James 2:18).
Yes, SHOW not establish. Big difference.
James says you can make your faith perfect by works (James 2:22).
In James 2:22, faith made perfect or complete by works means bring to maturity, to complete like love in 1 John 4:18. It does not mean that Abraham was finally saved based on merits of his works after he offered up Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22. When Abraham performed the good work in Genesis 22; he
fulfilled the expectations created by the pronouncement of his faith in Genesis 15:6.
James is referring to what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (a thing called, “the work of faith”). More accurately it would be called “faith which worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6).
I find it interesting that you mentioned 1 Thessalonians 1:3. I was recently in a discussion with a works-salvationist who attends the church of Christ and he was making the same argument about faith and works that you are making. He teaches that we are saved by faith "conjoined" with works and basically makes no distinction between faith and works. Notice the words "work of" faith, "labor of" love and "patience of" hope in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. These are the practical outworking of the Thessalonians' conversion. The "work" the Thessalonians do is a result or consequence of their faith. So too their "labor" flows from love and their "endurance" comes from hope. Work "of" faith does not mean that faith in essence is the work accomplished or that we are saved by works that are produced "out of" faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is not works. Their work is a result or consequence "of" their faith. The work done is "of" faith or done "out of" faith. Faith was already established at conversion and then the work followed as a result or consequence "of" faith. I've heard other works-salvationists (including Roman Catholics) try to turn work "of" faith into work "is" faith and end up making no distinction between faith and works that follow as a result of faith as well. The end result of course is salvation by faith and works.
Works (after we are saved by God’s grace) justify us before God because they show us our faith.
Works can only justify us in the sense of being "shown to be righteous." (James 2:14-24) We are justified (accounted as righteous) by faith, not works. (Romans 4:2-6)
They are a part of the faith.
"Part" of faith would make them the very essence of faith, which is false. Works are the fruit, by product and demonstrative evidence of faith, but not the essence of faith and not the basis or means by which we obtain salvation.
But you try to separate faith from works (When that’s not what the Bible teaches).
Faith and works are not one in essence, so they are separate in essence. Faith is the root of salvation and works are the fruit. Just as the root from a tree is separate from the fruit that is produced from the nutrients that flow through the root of the tree and produce the fruit.
Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. That’s hearing the WHOLE BIBLE.
It doesn't take reading the whole Bible in order to establish faith in Christ for salvation.
The whole Bible is a part of the faith.
The whole Bible is God's word. Faith is faith and the whole Bible is the whole Bible.
More specifically, the New Testament are the more specific instructions for us Christians. We have to believe these instructions by faith. So it’s a part of the faith. That’s what you don’t understand.
I understand perfectly that you confuse faith in Christ for salvation with believing and obeying instructions from the Bible "out of" faith. This is how you end up with salvation by faith and works.
Romans 4:2 is referring to “Works ALONE Salvationism” (without God’s grace) via by a person thinking falsely that they had to first be circumcised to be initially saved (See: Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 2:3, Romans 3:1, Romans 4:9-12).
Nobody teaches "works alone" with no faith whatsoever salvation. Circumcision was one stumbling block for the Jews, but it's not the only stumbling block and it's only one work. Romans 4:2 said "if" Abraham was justified by "works" and not merely circumcision. Paul goes on to say that "faith is accounted as righteousness" (vs. 5) and that God imputes righteousness "apart from works." (vs. 6) So there are no works in the equation here.
But believers are initially saved by God’s grace and mercy (without works) in their Initial Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Romans 4:3-5) (Titus 3:5).
Not saved by works in general and not only initially, but finally as well. (1 Peter 1:9) Sorry to burst your bubble, but from beginning to end Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption alone and not based on the merits of our works. No boasting for you.
In Romans 4: Paul is not referring to the secondary aspect of salvation in being saved in the Sanctification Process by the Spirit after one is saved by God’s grace. Paul teaches that Sanctification is also for salvation (See: 2 Thessalonians 2:13, and Romans 8:13). For God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).
Progressive sanctification is not about working for our salvation, but working out the salvation that we already have in Christ. Denying ungodliness and living righteously and godly in this present world is what we are saved FOR and NOT BY. You have this backwards and the end result is works salvation.
In Romans 4:2: Paul is NOT referring to works of faith (that shows our faith). Paul is fighting against the Jews’ false thinking and their belief of circumcision to be saved (See: Romans 3:1). Paul is attacking false works done for God.
Romans 4:2 is not merely limited to circumcision. Romans 4:2 clearly states that Abraham was NOT justified (accounted as righteous) by works. In James 2:21, we see that Abraham was justified (shown to be righteous) by works and circumcision is not even mentioned. The work of offering up his son Isaac on the altar is the work in view. Elsewhere, Paul clearly stated that it's
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us.. (Titus 3:5) and that God saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works.. (2 Timothy 1:9) so it's not merely circumcision, but works in general which includes works of faith. Works of "righteousness" can only be produced "out of" faith. You need to place in JESUS CHRIST ALONE FOR SALVATION and stop trusting in works. You are on very dangerous ground!