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Pay attention to whom Jesus is talking. He is talking in Matthew 7:21-23 to the Jews who always said, "Lord, Lord" but as scripture says,

they [the Jews, like you] have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Rom 10:2-4.

He is also technically still in the Old Covenant of the law which ended upon his death on the cross and resurrection which launched the New Covenant of the Gospel of the Grace of Christ which declares UNEQUIVOCALLY (unlike you),

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

(Rom 10:13).

He is also technically still in the Old Covenant of the law...

The law was meant to be a tutor. Men have always been saved by faith, through grace. The new covenant was always the end of the law.

The problem with the Jews (unlike me) is that they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (Romans 9:30-32)

But like James, I believe that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone:

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:18-24)

Faith without works is dead, "you foolish fellow."