a.) "Is it true that man has no control, no role at all in his own eternal destiny?"
b.) "Did Noah have no control, no role at all in the saving of his house?"
Two different applications that also contain some commonality.
a.) Is not controlled by man because man is not in control of Salvation, whereas God is.
Control and role are not synonymous for the One who is in control is not the same as the one who in his/her role
b.) After a person
receives Salvation(God's Control), he/she remains(role) dependent upon God for obedience unto "Thy will be done on earth"
c.) God knowing all things, directed James in writing the Letter/Book of James
What
does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what
does it profit?
17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.