James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
In the context of the kind of faith James was talking about,
he was rebuking the church for giving a blessing to the poor after church service that included the church's faith in God to provide without the church leading by example by meeting the immediate needs of the poor from the bounty collected at church service.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Verses 15-16 was the offense that James was rebuking when the church was sharing their faith in God to provide for the poor to the poor without leading by example. That is why he challendged that church to show their faith in God to provide by giving from the collection at church service to meet the immediate needs of the poor, trusting God that He has provided enough for the immediate needs of the poor & for the church to run on till next church service.
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. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
If you share your faith in God to provide to any one, you best lead by example as that is the only kind of faith that requires works for others to see your faith in God to provide.
Next, James referred to only that kind of faith he was talking about that requires works by his reference to Abraham & Isaac.
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Look at the point of the reference in the Old Testament by how Abraham named the place in regards to that kind of faith in God to provide that requires works.
Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
James was never talking about the faith in Jesus Christ that requires works because that would void grace if grace was by works.
Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Here below is Paul talking about the faith in Jesus Christ for salvation
which is without works by how he referred to Abraham's faith to believe God for why this was considered unto him for righteousness.
Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
If you have any doubts, then read what Paul had just written prior to that reference in chapter 4.
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
James shared the right hand of fellowship so that means you & others are reading the words of James wrong because by misapplying James words in that way, that runs contrary to the rest of scripture including the gospel of John.
Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
There is no other gospel.
Galatians 1:3
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Strong words for Paul to say and yet in that same Book of Galatians, testified to having been given the right hand of fellowship with James, Cephas ( Peter ) and John.
When John tells you to believe, he means True Faith with works. If you trully believe Jesus is King, you do what He says, and He said we must repent. Because the devils also believe and they tremble, so, not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who DO the Will of the Father which is in Heaven.
You ae paraphrasing from several references there mixing them together.
What is the will of the Father in verse 40 below?
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
What is Jesus warning churches about false prophets in Matthew 7:13-27 saying that not every one saying Lord, Lord shall enter? ( Luke 13:24-30 suggests the Marriage Supper at the rapture event for the "sitting down" to eat )
That not every one will be found abiding in Him when the Bridegroom comes as they risk being excommunicated from the Marriage Supper & left behind for being workers of iniquities, but they are still His for why these be the least in the kingdom of heaven for breaking His commandments and why they shall be resurrected after the great tribulation as vessels unto dishonor in His House.
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already;
and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.