"JUSTIFICATION"

[Daniel L.]

If you are correct when you teach Paul is teaching Abraham is not JUSTIFIED by his works of any kind.
Then the apostles contradict themselves

If my interpretation is correct, and Paul teaches Abraham was justified by faith alone, without works of Abraham, so no man can boast.
Then the "him that justifieth the ungodly" must be a different one, other than the Mighty One of Israel, the Father of Abraham and James, who will not justify the ungodly. And since the "justifier" in Paul is different than the Justifier of James, there is no contradiction, with the "works in general" interpretation, since the "justifier" in Paul does not require works, and "justifies" the ungodly, but the Justifier of James does require works and justifies only the righteous. Which is where my question comes from:

Who is "him that justifieth the ungodly" ?

Therefore your interpretation of Romans 4:1-5, is in error. Abraham faith was not alone, it was an obedient faith that justified him.

Since I explained there is no contradiction, you have to present me with another argument as for why Im in error. I know Abraham had obedient faith, im not the one who compared Abraham to "him that worketh not":

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

So, you are not disagreeing with me, my friend, you are disagreeing with Paul, as the works of Abraham are works in general, and the law of Moses interpretation has already been discarded as absurd.
Believe it or not, Paul is actually teaching faith alone without any works, so no man can boast.

 

[Titus]

If my interpretation is correct, and Paul teaches Abraham was justified by faith alone, without works of Abraham, so no man can boast.
Then the "him that justifieth the ungodly" must be a different one, other than the Mighty One of Israel, the Father of Abraham and James, who will not justify the ungodly. And since the "justifier" in Paul is different than the Justifier of James, there is no contradiction, with the "works in general" interpretation, since the "justifier" in Paul does not require works, and "justifies" the ungodly, but the Justifier of James does require works and justifies only the righteous. Which is where my question comes from:

Who is "him that justifieth the ungodly" ?



Since I explained there is no contradiction, you have to present me with another argument as for why Im in error. I know Abraham had obedient faith, im not the one who compared Abraham to "him that worketh not":

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

So, you are not disagreeing with me, my friend, you are disagreeing with Paul, as the works of Abraham are works in general, and the law of Moses interpretation has already been discarded as absurd.
Believe it or not, Paul is actually teaching faith alone without any works, so no man can boast.

Hello, nice to chat with you,
Paul in fact never taught the modern 1600's doctrine of the re-formation of the catholic church.
As I have already showed,
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Paul taught faith without works profits not. That is Paul's real position on his teaching of the kind of faith that profits. Teaching Paul taught faith only, is putting words in Paul's mouth.

Justification: From God Or From Man ?
When you answer this question you will know if this new interpretation of James chapter 2 is scripturally accurate.

James teaches on Abraham of being justified by his works.
This is a key issue you may have not considered or overlooked with your position.

James talks specifically about one act of obedience Abraham did that justified him.
Do you know which work in Abraham's life it was that James referred to?

Heres the answer,
James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
-22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and works was faith made perfect?

James gave a specific act in Abraham's life, one act of obedience that Justified him.
The offering of his son Isaac.

Now, you teach James is teaching the evidence of true faith is other men will witness our true faith because they will observe our works.

Therefore you are saying James' justification or our faith put in to practice, justifies us before men, correct?
I don't want to misrepresent you. If this is not what you believe the justification James is teaching is. I apologize.

Ok, now back to my point about the old testament story of Abraham being justified by the obedient sacrifice of his son Isaac,

We must go back to tell the story, so we can observe the important details that will give us the evidence or lack of evidence to know if your interpretation is really what James is teaching.

Genesis 22:3
And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Ok, we have Abraham, Isaac, and two young men.
Now Abraham is going to go to sacrifice his son.

Genesis 22:3-5 ; 7-12
Then on the thrid day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide here with the donkey; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you.
Note: Very important clue here. The two young men are told to stay here with the donkey. Abraham and his son leave them to go worship.
Now there are only two, Abraham and Isaac.

-7- And Isaac spake unto his father Abraham and said, My father : and he said, Here I am 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 both went together.

-9 And they came to the place which God told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

-10 And Abraham stretched forth His hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

-11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here I am I.

-12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.

God later says in verse 16-17 that because he has done this work of obedience, God is going to bless Abraham greatly.

I encourage you strongly to read the entire chapter for yourself.

What did we learn?
We learned that the act that justified Abraham before God as James said in chapter 2:21.
Had only four witnesses,
God, His Angel's in heaven, Abraham and Isaac himself.

The two young men were not present to see the work Abraham performed that was commanded by God.

That leaves us with the most important question?
Who justified Abraham?
Could it have been men?
Could it have been angels?
Could it have been Isaac?
Could it have been God?

The only other "man" that observed Abraham's work was his son.
Heres why his son could not be the one who justified Abraham.

First, Isaac was completely clueless that His faither was performing an act of faith.
The fact alone excludes him from being the one who Justified his father.

For your interpretation to be Biblically accurate. Isaac would have must known that his father was acting out a direct commandment from God. Then he possible could have understood his fathers motives.

But this fails completely because Isaac was to young and ignorant of what was taking place.

What about the angels?
They are not men, therefore they must also be eliminated because your teaching is men justified men in James chapter 2.

That leaves us with only one possibility.
God. And this can only be the correct answer.

The absurdity would be Abraham himself. Which is obviously nonsense.

Now my last point on Justification.
Only God can justify men according to the scriptures,

Romans 5:9
Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Romans 8:30
Moreover whom He predestined, these He called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He glorified.

Romans 4:2-3
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
James 2: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

With this sound argument of rightly dividing the word of God, I hope we can be of the same mind and judgement.

What are the works that did not justify Abraham in Romans 4:2-3 ?
Answer: The works that Paul also teaches about in Ephesians 2:8-9. MERITORIOUS WORKS!

What are the works that did Justify Abraham in James chapter 2?
Answer: Works of righteousness ie obedience to Gods commands!

Psalm 119:127
My tongue shall speak of Your word, For All Your commandments are righteousness.

Love you friend, hope you will accept sound doctrine to what saith the scriptures.

 

[Daniel L.]

MERITORIOUS WORKS!

Ah, this is a new one.
So, according to you:
Paul is saying Abraham wasn't justified by works of "Congruous merit that carries no obligation"
and James is saying Abraham was justified by works of "condign merit, that carries with it an obligation"

Then you have a problem, for if the offering of Isaac is condign, offering Isaac upon the altar is an obligation for justice, then Abraham had to offer his son Isaac first, in order for him to be justified, since it is and obligation for justice, and God is most just.
So how can Paul say Abraham was justified before his condign work, seeing it is an obligation? How can Paul say Abraham was justified without justice? Since the condign work was not yet done when Abraham believed.

Who is him that justifieth the ungodly?

 

[Ezra]

Yes, you did called them "saved sinners", and I have rebuked you already, but I´ll do it again:

you aint REBUKED ME OR ANYTHING learn your Bible we are all sinners saved by grace .that is those who have been born again . what rock did you crawl out from under?

↑
when you say a ungodly person can not be justified . your % 100 WRONG
What about when God says it then? Is He 100% wrong ?

Exodus 23:7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

let me help you out when a wicked/sinner person gets saved THEY ARE JUSTIFIED get in the new testament

 

[Titus]

Ah, this is a new one.
So, according to you:
Paul is saying Abraham wasn't justified by works of "Congruous merit that carries no obligation"
and James is saying Abraham was justified by works of "condign merit, that carries with it an obligation"

Then you have a problem, for if the offering of Isaac is condign, offering Isaac upon the altar is an obligation for justice, then Abraham had to offer his son Isaac first, in order for him to be justified, since it is and obligation for justice, and God is most just.
So how can Paul say Abraham was justified before his condign work, seeing it is an obligation? How can Paul say Abraham was justified without justice? Since the condign work was not yet done when Abraham believed.

Who is him that justifieth the ungodly?

Paul condems meritorious work, as a prerequisite for salvation, Romans 4:2 ; Ephesians 2:8-9.
I never said merit plays any part. I said the opposite. Works of righteousness ie obedience to God is the faith that Paul and James teaches saves us. It is the kind of faith that Abraham had, James 2:24 ; Galatians 5:6 ; Acts 10:35 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; James 2:10 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Really it's not new. Your interpretation is the modern interpretation that come about to explain the inconsistencies in the new faith and no obedience to God system that began with the restoration movement.

Did James teach Abraham was justified before or after he obeyed God and offered his son Isaac on the altar?
James 2:21
Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Did James teach Abraham was justified before or after he obeyed God and offered his son Isaac on the altar?
James 2:21
Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James and Paul are addressing two different definitions of 'justified'.
Paul talks about being made righteous, by faith apart from works.
James talks about being shown to be righteous, by works of faith.

Justification is defined as, both, being made righteous, and being shown to be righteous.
James is in no way saying that a man is made righteous by works, but rather that a man is shown to be righteous by his works. Just as Abraham's righteous faith was seen in his obedience to offer Isaac up for sacrifice, believing in his heart that God would just raise him up from the dead in order to keep his promise to him. And so his obedience was the evidence of that faith.

 

[Titus]

James and Paul are addressing two different definitions of 'justified'.
Paul talks about being made righteous, by faith apart from works.
James talks about being shown to be righteous, by works of faith.

Justification is defined as, both, being made righteous, and being shown to be righteous.
James is in no way saying that a man is made righteous by works, but rather that a man is shown to be righteous by his works. Just as Abraham's righteous faith was seen in his obedience to offer Isaac up for sacrifice, believing in his heart that God would just raise him up from the dead in order to keep his promise to him. And so his obedience was the evidence of that faith.

]Hello, nice to chat with you,
Paul in fact never taught the modern 1600's doctrine of the re-formation of the catholic church.
As I have already showed,
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Paul taught faith without works profits not. That is Paul's real position on his teaching of the kind of faith that profits. Teaching Paul taught faith only, is putting words in Paul's mouth.

Justification: From God Or From Man ?
When you answer this question you will know if this new interpretation of James chapter 2 is scripturally accurate.

James teaches on Abraham of being justified by his works.
This is a key issue you may have not considered or overlooked with your position.

James talks specifically about one act of obedience Abraham did that justified him.
Do you know which work in Abraham's life it was that James referred to?

Heres the answer,
James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
-22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and works was faith made perfect?

James gave a specific act in Abraham's life, one act of obedience that Justified him.
The offering of his son Isaac.

Now, you teach James is teaching the evidence of true faith is other men will witness our true faith because they will observe our works.

Therefore you are saying James' justification or our faith put in to practice, justifies us before men, correct?
I don't want to misrepresent you. If this is not what you believe the justification James is teaching is. I apologize.

Ok, now back to my point about the old testament story of Abraham being justified by the obedient sacrifice of his son Isaac,

We must go back to tell the story, so we can observe the important details that will give us the evidence or lack of evidence to know if your interpretation is really what James is teaching.

Genesis 22:3
And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Ok, we have Abraham, Isaac, and two young men.
Now Abraham is going to go to sacrifice his son.

Genesis 22:3-5 ; 7-12
Then on the thrid day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide here with the donkey; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you.
Note: Very important clue here. The two young men are told to stay here with the donkey. Abraham and his son leave them to go worship.
Now there are only two, Abraham and Isaac.

-7- And Isaac spake unto his father Abraham and said, My father : and he said, Here I am 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 both went together.

-9 And they came to the place which God told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

-10 And Abraham stretched forth His hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

-11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here I am I.

-12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.

God later says in verse 16-17 that because he has done this work of obedience, God is going to bless Abraham greatly.

I encourage you strongly to read the entire chapter for yourself.

What did we learn?
We learned that the act that justified Abraham before God as James said in chapter 2:21.
Had only four witnesses,
God, His Angel's in heaven, Abraham and Isaac himself.

The two young men were not present to see the work Abraham performed that was commanded by God.

That leaves us with the most important question?
Who justified Abraham?
Could it have been men?
Could it have been angels?
Could it have been Isaac?
Could it have been God?

The only other "man" that observed Abraham's work was his son.
Heres why his son could not be the one who justified Abraham.

First, Isaac was completely clueless that His faither was performing an act of faith.
The fact alone excludes him from being the one who Justified his father.

For your interpretation to be Biblically accurate. Isaac would have must known that his father was acting out a direct commandment from God. Then he possible could have understood his fathers motives.

But this fails completely because Isaac was to young and ignorant of what was taking place.

What about the angels?
They are not men, therefore they must also be eliminated because your teaching is men justified men in James chapter 2.

That leaves us with only one possibility.
God. And this can only be the correct answer.

The absurdity would be Abraham himself. Which is obviously nonsense.

Now my last point on Justification.
Only God can justify men according to the scriptures,

Romans 5:9
Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Romans 8:30
Moreover whom He predestined, these He called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He glorified.

Romans 4:2-3
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
James 2: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

With this sound argument of rightly dividing the word of God, I hope we can be of the same mind and judgement.

What are the works that did not justify Abraham in Romans 4:2-3 ?
Answer: The works that Paul also teaches about in Ephesians 2:8-9. MERITORIOUS WORKS!

What are the works that did Justify Abraham in James chapter 2?
Answer: Works of righteousness ie obedience to Gods commands!

Psalm 119:127
My tongue shall speak of Your word, For All Your commandments are righteousness.

Love you friend, hope you will accept sound doctrine to what saith the scriptures.

 

[Daniel L.]

we are all sinners

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

when a wicked/sinner person gets saved THEY ARE JUSTIFIED

Exodus 23:7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Paul condems meritorious work, as a prerequisite for salvation

If Paul condemns congruous works that means James teaches justification by the condign works, and completly ignored my question:
If the offering of Isaac is condign, offering Isaac upon the altar is an obligation for justice, then Abraham had to offer his son Isaac first, in order for him to be justified, since it is and obligation for justice, and God is most just.
So how can Paul say Abraham was justified before his condign work, seeing it is an obligation? How can Paul say Abraham was justified without justice? Since the condign work was not yet done when Abraham believed.

 

[Daniel L.]

Paul talks about being made righteous, by faith apart from works.

He that is righteous by his own choice is really righteous, but he that is "made" righteous by another is not really righteous, because he is not what he is by his own choice.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

So, it is impossible to be "made" righteous, since neither his own choice nor his deed is present.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

He that is righteous by his own choice is really righteous, but he that is "made" righteous by another is not really righteous, because he is not what he is by his own choice.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

So, it is impossible to be "made" righteous, since neither his own choice nor his deed is present.

I was referring to this:

"22 ...this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:22
​

When a person believes the promise of God they receive the righteousness that comes from God, as opposed to the righteousness that comes from within themselves. The embodiment of the righteousness of God is the Holy Spirit. The person who lives righteously signifies that he has received this righteousness that comes from God. And so he is declared righteous (justified) in God's sight.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Teaching Paul taught faith only, is putting words in Paul's mouth.

Abraham was declared righteous when he had faith in the promise apart from the merit of works (Romans 4:1-6). So that truth stands evident and clear in scripture. What the church may not understand so well is the fact that the faith that makes a person righteous must show itself in how they live or else they are showing they don't really have the righteousness that comes from God through faith.

The sign that you have indeed received the righteousness that comes from God through faith apart from works is the fact you are living more and more in the righteousness that he has given you. Faith all by itself secures the righteousness of God. Works of faith show you have it. And so a man is justified by, both, faith and works. 'Justified' means to be, both, made righteous, and shown to be righteous. It's a package deal. You can't have one without the other. But, surely, the righteousness that comes from God comes solely through faith apart from the merit of works.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Now, you teach James is teaching the evidence of true faith is other men will witness our true faith because they will observe our works.

Therefore you are saying James' justification or our faith put in to practice, justifies us before men, correct?
I don't want to misrepresent you. If this is not what you believe the justification James is teaching is. I apologize.

That is what I believe, with one small change. The display of our faith is for ALL in heaven and earth to see. Even though God knows who has His righteousness in Him and who does not, works are still the evidence he uses to distinguish the righteous from the unrighteous. We see this right in the very account of Abraham that James uses to illustrate his justification by faith and works teaching:

“for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” Genesis 26:12
​

We also see this is in Matthew 25:

"31When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, 36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’" Matthew 25:31-36
​

Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats on the evidence of their works. Their works signifying whether or not they have faith in Him and love Him.

 

[Titus]

If Paul condemns congruous works that means James teaches justification by the condign works, and completly ignored my question:

Wrong,
Paul and James condemn merittimg salvation.

I have answered this before you even asked this question,
Did you read my post to you? Post #82.

Nowhere did I mention merit. You added that I idea to James.
I taught you James never taught works of merit, he taught works of obedience.
You missed my point completely.
I showed how Paul and James both teach obedient faith for justification.

If you say one more time I am teaching meritorious works, I will know you are intentionally misrepresenting what I am teaching. THERE ARE NO MERITORIOUS WORKS IN SALVATION!!!!!

So how can Paul say Abraham was justified before his condign work, seeing it is an obligation? How can Paul say Abraham was justified without justice? Since the condign work was not yet done when Abraham believed.

???
Where do you find meritorious works in Abraham's obedience to God when he obeyed Gods command to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar? I taught obedience is James 2:21 not merit.

Now, answer my question,
Did James teach Abraham was justified before or after he obeyed God and offered His son Isaac on the altar?
James 2:21
Was not Abraham our Father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

2nd question
Who Justified Abraham, who saw him obey God and sacrifice his son on the altar?

 

[Enoch111]

So, it is impossible to be "made" righteous, since neither his own choice nor his deed is present.

Looks like another troll has come out of the woodwork. Do not feed the trolls.

 

[Daniel L.]

When a person believes the promise of God they receive the righteousness that comes from God

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

There is no such thing as "made" righteous by the will of another. Abraham was justified when he believed because he was already righteous, by his own works and his own choice:

Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Abraham was declared righteous when he had faith in the promise apart from the merit of works

Did James teach Abraham was justified before or after he obeyed God and offered His son Isaac on the altar?

The only way for Abraham to have been declared righteous when he believed, is if he were already righeous:

James 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.

So the Scripture can only be refering to true living faith, because if you say Abraham was justified "apart from works", you say he was justified by dead faith, are devils also justified?
Not by the Mighty One of Israel, they aren't. So tell me: Who is "the one who justieth the ungodly", and the devils "apart from works"?

The embodiment of the righteousness of God is the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is only given to those who work repentance by theyr own free will:

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Or are you implying the devils, who also believe, received the Holy Spirit "apart from works" just because they believed, at any point in time, whatsoever at all ?

I taught you James never taught works or merit, he taught works of obedience.

Yes, Obedience works are the "condign merit, that carries with it an obligation", so if James says you are justified by condign works, that means Paul can only say you are not justifed by the congruous ones, because you cant have them contradicting each other.

So, if James taught offering Isaac was a condign work, an obligation for justice, how could Abraham have been justified when he believed, prior to his condign work? Which is an obligation for justice. Is like saying Abraham was justified without justice, by dead faith.

MERITORIOUS WORKS!

Nowhere did I mention merit.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Just so you know, I didnt even know what meritous works were, I had to google it yesterday, and read from the catholics. You definitely brought this up, you deal with it.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Abraham was justified when he believed because he was already righteous, by his own works and his own choice:

Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

"2If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God." Romans 4:2

 

[Daniel L.]

He that is righteous by his own choice is really righteous, but he that is "made" righteous by another is not really righteous, because he is not what he is by his own choice.

another troll

It is to the Apostle Peter to whom you refer as "another troll", since he is the one who spoke this.

You who call yourself Enoch, let me quote Enoch for you:

2 Enoch 30 And I assigned to him four special stars, and called his name Adam.
And I gave him his free will; and I pointed out to him the two ways – light and darkness. And I said to him, ‘This is good for you, but that is bad’; so that I might come to know whether he has love toward me or abhorrence, and so that it might become plain who among his race loves me.

You think you can be "made" righteous by another, because you believed? Why weren't the devils "made" righteous then?

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Unless you "be willing" nothing will be "made" for you:

Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

if you say Abraham was justified "apart from works", you say he was justified by dead faith

His faith was not dead. We know that by the fact that he obeyed God to place Isaac on the altar. If his faith back in Genesis 15:6 was dead faith, 1) he would not have been declared righteous at that time, and 2) he would not have obediently put Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22:9-10.

See, dead faith does not mean being justified by faith without and apart from works. Dead faith means having a fake faith that doesn't really believe the promise of God as evidenced by the fact it does not obey God in accordance with that promise.

 

[Daniel L.]

"2If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God." Romans 4:2

What is a single witness supposed to mean ? When I presented you with four, one of them the witness of the Word.

His faith was not dead.

Of course it wasn't, that is why he was justified in the first place, because he had true faith, and why you can't say he was "made" righteous when he believed, since that would mean he is not really righteous and that God justified the unrighteous which is impossible:

Exodus 23:7 [...] I will not justify the wicked.

 

[Behold]

And the scripture was fullfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:

A Christian has been justified not by their works, but by the blood of Jesus and the death of Christ.

If you read your verse, you can see that Abraham has Righteousness.
He has it.
Why?
Because God gave it to him, because Abraham BELIEVED.

This is "the GIFT of Righteousness".
"not by WORKS, but according to God's MERCY, HE SAVED US".

Here : John 14:6

Here : All that call on the name of Jesus, shall be saved.

"faith is counted as righteousness".
The righteousness that COMES BY : Faith.
"Justification" BY Faith, without works.