Paul, James, & Justification By Faith

The Apostle Paul is adamant that Abraham was NOT justified by works, but rather by faith. James teaches that Abraham WAS justified by works when he offered up Isaac as a sacrifice. Who is right? Or are they both right? Both quote the same verse in defense of their position, "Abraham believed God and it was reckoned unto him as righteousness." (Gen. 15:6)This has caused much confusion over the years. Are we justified by faith alone or by faith and works? The answer is found in the two different ways "justified" is used. Paul uses the word in the sense of being "declared righteous" while James uses the word in the sense of "validation" of that righteous claim. Paul and James are teaching the same thing. We are justified by the work of Christ through faith. And this justification is evidenced through loving obedience, exemplified by the account of Abraham and Isaac. The New Testament is adamant as it pertains to all aspects of salvation, "Let he who boasts, boast in the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 2:9)