Why is it so important to me? Because I love and respect God. I don't like it when people slander HimWhy is God giving contradictory instructions such a problem for you?
Jesus gave the disciples different and contradictory instructions during His earthly ministry.
Luke 9:3 (AKJV/PCE)(9:3) And he said unto them, Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.Luke 10:4 (AKJV/PCE)(10:4) Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.Luke 22:35-36 (AKJV/PCE)(22:35) And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. (22:36) Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
That does not mean that some of His instruction cannot be contradictory at different times based on circumstances and goals.
Duh.
You've proven nothing.
Rom 4:1-5 (AKJV/PCE)(4:1) What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (4:2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God. (4:3) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4:4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Jas 2:21-24 (AKJV/PCE)(2:21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (2:22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (2:23) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (2:24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. They both quote Gen 15:6 and they give contradictory takes on it. One says faith only and one says faith and works. So which is it?
You completely misunderstand James.
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?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
You're reading your beliefs into James.