This is a link to a free chapter from a book by an author friend of mine. James, chapter 2 in particular, is widely misused and misunderstood that I think it's worth your time to take another look... does James (2) really teach what many of us have been taught? I don't think so. What do you think?
http://www.backtofaith.com/biblically-speaking/free-chapter-2-of-back-to-faith-on-james-214-ff/