Dual:
I have made INFERENCES and IMPLICATIONS based on the totality of the evidence. Eph. 2:8,9 is a discussion about works of merit ,not works of an active faith. They are different. The type faith that saves is one which places trust In Christ. Eph. 3:12. It is a faith that is active in receiving the grace that saves. The very scripture you post teaches this by grace, HOW? through faith. I will, once again, post the DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORKS. I know you will just ignore them, but that is your problem , not mine. Works of Righteousness. Titus 3:5. Works of the Law. Gal. 3:11, Works of the flesh. Gal. 5:19-21. Works of an obedient faith. Romans 16: 26, James 2:21-24, Hebrews 5:8,9, Romans 5:1,2. EVERY EXAMPLE OF SAVING FAITH IS ACTIVE! It it the CONDITION CHRIST set forth in John 8: 24. It, too,is a work John 6: 28,29.
Furthermore, OBEDIENCE IS A CONDITION for SALVATION. The Bible says so. Hebrews 5:9, he is the author of eternal salvation to all them that OBEY HIM. It does not say he is the author of eternal salvtion to all them that have faith only and do nothing! It just will not work that way! Again , that is your problem. see also II Thes. 1:6-9, John 3:36, Mat. 7;21-24, Mat. 25: 22-26.
Your contention James is not discussing Salvation is Hogwash! James 1:18-25. The very first chapter is a treatise on salvation. It says, "18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
The same could be said of the second chapter of James. In James 2: 14, the Bible says. "4What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"James answers the question in the same context in James 2: 21-26. It says,"1Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And 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. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Furthermore, James adresses the once saved always saved issue in James 5: 16-20. Three of the five chapters directly address salvation. Chapter 4 addresses salvation by contrast. James 4:1-4.
Interestingly, You ignored the Hebrew writer in regards to obedience, of course, if I were grace only and faith only, I would too! in Hebrews 11:8, the Bible says, By faith Abraham when he ws called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED; and he went out not knowing whither he went. When was he justifed before he went out or after he obeyed. James says it was his obedient active working faith. James 2;21-24. The writer of the book of Hebrews agrees with James. God has NEVER granted salvation to the DISOBEDIENT! You INFER otherwise. However, the Bible teaches that the disobedient are lost. In Eph.5:6-8, the Bible says, " 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the WRATH of God upon the children of DISOBEDIENCE 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all them that obvey him. Hebrews 5:9.
In fact, those who do not OBEY the gospel will damned. IN II Thes. 1: 6-9,the Bible says, ": 6Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
Finally, men are saved by the grace of God when they receive his gift by the CONDITIONS GOD HAS SET FORTH IN THE SCRIPTURES. Jesus said a man must believe, John 8:24, Repent, Luke 13:3,Confess, Mat. 10:32, and be Baptized for unto the remission of sins, being washed in the blood of the lamb. Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Rev. 1:5, I Pet. 1:17,18, Romans 6: 3-6, Col. 2:12 This is God's grace that saves.