Which, if meaning that works of faith actually merit a right standing with God, versus the faith behind such being what justifies, then James is contradicting both Moses and Paul, who affirm
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:5-6)
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (Romans 4:19-22)
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:23-25)
While actually realizing the fulfillment of the promise of God required some response on the part of Abraham, and NT believers are exhorted to continue in obedient faith, and are to labor to please God, yet obtaining a justified state for Abraham and NT believers is by faith being counted for righteousness.