The Book of James is a “show me” epsitle.
“show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”James 2:18.
The Book fo James is not about salvation but about effectiveness. James is talking about how others are affected by your faith. The Book of James does NOT contradict the Gospel of the Grace of Christ laid out in Romans through Hebrews, as you would have it do. It is simply saying that TO OTHERS (not God), your faith is useless if they’re not affected by something tangible in your life.
That is fine, but people do not determine your salvation, God in Christ does. You may fail before man, but God has stated in his New Covenant that he will NEVER remember your sins because Christ has fully borne God’s judgement for all sins everywhere.
Your post makes zero sense. No traditional Christian doctrine says that we are free to behave as we please so long as we claim to be Believers. Good behavior, as measured ultimately by adherence to God’s laws, is evidence of the condition of one’s heart and soul (salvation). If one has the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to wilfully & defiantly continue in sin. We struggle with the flesh, yes, but embracing sin is a characteristic of the enemy. Homosexual behavior and lifestyle constitutes physical, emotional and spiritual bondage to sin. And you think these people are “saved”?? What other abominations do you think are permitted to Christians?? Which denomination are you??
I'll "show you" again.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2: 24)
The Holy Spirit included James for a reason, and that is to stimulate us to consider the full counsel of scripture. We must not "simplify" or "explain away" difficult scriptures because it makes it easier for us to understand.
I've heard lots of creative and not-so-creative twistings of James in an effort to counter what it is clearly saying, though it may not agree with our "theology." James specifically addresses Romans 4:1-4, elaborating:
You see faith was working with his works, and as a result of works, faith was perfected; and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called a friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." (James 2:22-24)
Justified by works and not by faith alone -- there it is.