“Justified by works and not by faith alone — there it is.”
No, we are not justified by works. All the work was done on the Cross. But our works illustrate our salvation, which was accomplished by the work on the Cross.
Muddying the waters is not helping. The answer to antinomianism is not Catholicism.
The Holy Spirit through James says we are.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:24)
James just explained:
You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; (James 2:22)
This is the point that James is making: "faith was working with his works".
Further, James is not contradicting what Paul says is Romans 4:2, where he states that works justify.
For if Abraham were justified (ἐδικαιώθη --aorist indicative passive) by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (Romans 4:2)
This is a 'part particular' conditional. It is not implying that Abraham was not justified by works ('contrary to fact'). On the contrary he was justified by works and James says he was (James 2:21-23).
Can the claim of faith which is not proven with works "save"?
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (James 2:12)
James' answer is "No." He calls that faith "dead".
James makes us feel uncomfortable. We know we should be working.
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:34,35)