Context of James 2:24

James is writing to Israel scattered abroad (James 1:1) in the fifth cycle of Israel’s chastisement (Leviticus 26:33).

It is written to believers (James 1:2) to have their faith tried (James 1:3) so that they may be perfect (James 1:4), meaning they endure unto the end of the tribulation period and are saved (Matthew 24:13).

They are still under the old covenant (Hebrews 8:13).

If they believe the gospel, they are “judged by the law of liberty,” not by the Mosaic law (James 2:10-12).

2:21-25 Abraham and Rahab were both justified by faith plus works. These are works of faith.

No flesh is justified by the works of the law (Galatians 2:16).

Israel needs works of faith for justification, because they do not receive the atonement until Jesus’ second coming (Acts 3:19-20; I Peter 1:7-9).

Today

We have justification now (Romans 5:9); we have the atonement now (Romans 5:11).

Our lives are hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Therefore, even if we stop believing, God will still give us eternal life, or else He would have to deny Christ eternal life (II Timothy 2:11,13).

Why the difference?

Today, the Gentiles are not in a better position than the Jews (Romans 2:11).

The old covenant was with all of Israel, including apostate Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-9).

In Israel’s program, the Jews had favored nation status (John 4:22; Ephesians 2:14), because they agreed to obey the law (Exodus 19:8).

If the betrothed cheated on her husband to be, she would put Him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:6).

Therefore, Jesus would not marry her (Matthew 10:28-33).

Leviticus 26:1-2 says they break the covenant if they set up idols to bow down, do not keep the sabbaths, and do not reverence the Lord’s sanctuary.

Israel is not in Christ until the marriage supper of the Lamb, which takes place at Jesus’ second coming (Revelation 19:7-8).

God began separating out believing Israel from the apostate nation with John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12; Revelation 18:4-5). (Israel would go through the fire of the tribulation period before they were saved. (Malachi 3:1-3).)

This separation occurred by repenting and being water baptized (Acts 2:38-41).

Satan’s eternal security program = mark of the beast & bowing down to the image of the beast (Revelation 14:9-11).

Believing Israel’s work of faith is to not do this, or else they will lose their salvation (Hebrews 6:4-6; Luke 8:11-13).