Faith alone,not saved by works,when we confess Christ,for that is all we can do being fleshy,and not having the Spirit.
After we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love,for if we lack then our faith lacks.
Out of faith,hope,and charity,love in action,charity is the greatest.
Faith works by love.
Love works no ill towards their neighbor,therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
It is not faith alone,it is love alone.
All things will pass away that we did on earth,including faith,and hope,for they are not needed in heaven,but love will go on forever,and that is why charity is the greatest.
Charity does not think an evil thought,and does not sin by the Spirit,and is not arrogant,not selfish,not unkind,and only goes by their needs,and not their wants,and helps the poor and needy if possible.
Lack in love then lack in faith,for love is greater than faith,and that is what James pointed out works of love,that if a person lacks those works then their faith is dead,which it is not sometimes love,but always love.
Some people will say their works have nothing to do with salvation,but the way to look at it is their love has something to do with salvation,for if they lack love then their faith lacks,for love is the fulfilling of the law.
To lack works is to lack love,then they lack faith.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
So do not look at it as your works have nothing to do with salvation without realizing that your love has something to do with salvation,because love is the fulfilling of the law,and James pointed out the lack of caring about helping people that need food and clothing that caused their faith to be dead,but if a person does not have the means financially to help other people then they cannot,but we should love the best we can whether financially or another way.
By the Spirit it is works of love,and that is why our works matter because our love matters,which the Bible points out that some lack in that love.
But all sin can be forgiven,and we should realize that a lack of love does affect our relationship with God,and that is the works James talks about,and not make excuses about it,and everything is alright for it is a simple thing,but I understand that this world can get to us that we want to enjoy it along with them,and do not look at it as a big deal if we enjoy those things,because it is true most Christians do care for the welfare of others,but it is money,and material things,that we want to enjoy which neglects the poor and needy is where we lack,and I have been guilty of it too.
So our works do matter in our salvation,because our love matters in our salvation,and if a person says if we have the Spirit we will do the works,then why the lack,and why does the Bible warn us of the lack,so it is obvious that we can lack,and if we lack then our faith lacks,for then we do not have the proper perspective of God,and His kingdom,that is love.
The Spirit will not twist our arm to live for God that is why we have responsibility to do works of love.