Some have left the faith, some have never been part of THE faith, and some in both of those classes mock the faith. 
It is those in the camp of Calvin whom I want to address with this article. 
Calvinist, like their father, John, hate the book of James. They see it alike, “a strawy epistle.” James deals a death blow to the idea of salvation by “faith alone.” The only time you find the words “faith alone” in your Bible, is in James, which he proceeded with the word “not,” “Not by faith alone’ (James 2:24).  

But instead of the Calvinist being honest, they have to try to find a way to make the Bible fit their man-made doctrine. It is inconceivable to them that a fallible man, John Calvin, could have missed it completely on the idea of “Salvation through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, alone, alone, alone…”

So, the Calvinist cannot just humbly submit the point that their doctrine is untenable with the scriptures and the nature of God and try to force upon the practical book of James the idea that he is speaking of justification before men and not before God. 

I want to push back, or expose if you will, how this ridiculous notion will not hold up to the “rightly dividing” of the word of God (2 Tim.2:15).

James is talking to people who are in the faith (1:2, “my brethren”). He exhorts them to patiently endure the trials of life and persecution (1:2-4). 
James instructs those who lack wisdom in handling those trials to ask God, in faith, and He will supply it generously (1:5-8).
The next few verses deal with spectrum of people in the faith, namely the rich and poor. What they share is the brevity of life and a blessing for holding up and out under temptation (1:9-12).

Then, James tells us exactly where temptation comes from. It’s not the soverign decree of God, as Calvinist assert. God in His sovereignty gives men choice, and they choose to be drawn away of their own desires (1:13-16). These facts are simply stated and simply understood. The sin that man falls into of his own volition brings death (1:15; Romans 6:23). On these points, James admonished the Saints to not err, something the Calvinist say is an impossibility. 
James reminds his auditors where every blessing comes from, lest we be puffed up with “our ability” to provide (1:17-18). 
He assures us in the way to make human relationships thrive, by being “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (1:19-20).
The way to present oneself properly before God is, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING… (HEADS UP CALVINIST). 
WE MUST:

1. Lay apart filthiness and wickedness
2. Meekly make God’s word an active part of our life 
3. Do what we read (i.e. hear) (1:21-25).
   We’re told to watch our mouth (1:26) and to practice pure religion BEFORE GOD, namely providing for the needs of those who can’t provide for themselves (1:27)  
   In chapter 2, James condemns favoritism and lauding one person above another. This is not how Christians behave (2:1-13; 1 Cor.12:22-27). 
   Now, at verse 14-20, James asks some questions that ought to cause the Calvanist to muzzle instead of mock!
   Can faith save apart from works (2:14, i.e . rhetorical)? NO! 
   verse 17, faith without works is dead being alone! And notice, there is not one word about being “Justified before men” he said, if a BROTHER OR SISTER (v 15). And even if I allow that the brother or sister, isn’t of the faith, this isn’t “justification before men, it’s obedience to the King who told them what they ought to do (Matt.5:13-16, 45-48; Galatians 6:9-10). The glory is to God, before men! That they may see your good works and “GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN” (Matt. 5:16). 
   Furthermore, Jesus had already taught them, regarding their works, to do them IN SECRET (Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18). Especially verse 18, “That thou appear NOT UNTO MEN to fast, BUT unto thy Father, which seeth in secret…” 
   All the works man may do are for a continual state of justification before God (James 4:17), bringing Him glory, and causing men to appreciate HIM and desire to know more about HIM! 
   So, faith without works (being like Jesus, John 9:4; 1 John 2:6) is dead (2:17).

In verse 18, James poses a hypothetical scenario, and uses a premise of no profit to begin, “Thou hast faith, and I have works” 
This is the very thing James is arguing against. Faith, in the sense of belief, inner conviction, cannot be seen. But works makes that faith manifest. Works and faith are the 2 wings on the same bird. Without both, that bird won’t fly! 
James wasn’t saying, “you show me, and I’ll show you” (2:18). 
The entire 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews bears this out. 
But as we continue, the position that this is before men, and not God, falls completely apart. 
In verse 21, Abraham, is brought into this discussion.  
Abraham didn’t offer Issac before men. In Genesis 22:5, The young men were told to, “stay here.” In Genesis 22:6, the Bible says that Abraham and Issac ” walked on.” In Genesis 22:9, it says, “THEN they came to the place.” And in Genesis 22:19, they “RETURNED to the young men.” 
Abraham wasn’t justified before men! It’s time to give up that argument. 
Rehab also, was “JUSTIFIED BY WORKS” (James 2:25) because she hid the spies and helped them escape. But that faith followed every direction she was given! 
Because faith complies with the instructions given by God (Hebrews 11). 
These men that would rather defend the indefensible need your prayers. 
Calvinism is going to be the cause of so many who don’t make it to heaven. 
They proudly attach the name to themselves… they proudly proclaim the doctrines of Calvin…
“there’s no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)
“Whoever transgresses and abides not in the doctrine of CHRIST HATH NOT GOD.” (2 John 9)
You read that right out of the Bible. Calvinism is a godless doctrine.
Repent, or perish! “It is God that justifies” (Romans 8:33)!