Despite Paul’s clear definition, some still want the removal of “works” to mean the removal of obedience. They reason thus: Abraham was declared righteous before he obeyed a command about circumcision (Romans 4:9-12). Therefore, Abraham was saved before (without) any act of obedience.
They forget that long before Genesis 15, obedience was a way of life for Abraham. The inspired martyr Stephen shows that God personally called Abraham back in Mesopotamia (Iraq).
The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, “Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.” Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran (Acts 7:2-4 citing Genesis 12:1).
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called” (Hebrews 11:8).
Scripture affirms the truth: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called…” (Hebrews 11:8). This faith-filled relationship began long before the famous statement of Genesis 15. From as early as Genesis 12, Abraham had obedient faith, and God reckons faith as righteousness. Therefore, Abraham was in a right relationship with God from at least Genesis 12. The record shows their friendship.
Why, then, did God impute righteousness to Abraham in Genesis 15? Because the same principle that was at work in Genesis 12 was also at work in Genesis 15. God used the Genesis 15 event to state clearly His way of giving Abraham righteousness. Just as in Genesis 12, this way had nothing to do with a law system. The law of Moses came centuries later (Galatians 3:17).
Some seek to dismiss James as not about initial justification received in conversion. Neither is Paul! Both James and Paul are addressing the principle of justification which applies anywhere in the faith journey. Both James and Paul refer to Genesis 15 which states the principle so well—and well into God’s close relationship with Abraham.