“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.. But faith without works is dead.”
~ James 2:24-26
Works are the result of true saving faith. The problem with the theology that works save is that then Jesus didn't have to die. We could have done it on our own.
Luke 18:9-149 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Both believed in God. One had works, the other didn't.
The one who went away justified was NOT the one who had the works.
Salvation is by grace through faith so that NO MAN CAN BOAST.
If you get in on your works at all, it gives you something to boast about before God, angels, and men.
Besides, it only takes one sin to condemn us. It's far too late for anyone to get in by works, even if we spent the rest of our lives in sinless perfection. Read more of James 2, like the first part of the chapter.