See post 30.
You asked for a verse that showed faith was a work.
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." -- 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father
Faith is the instrument by which God dispenses His predestined, unmerited, free and saving grace. Faith, like repentance, hope and all good works, are given by God for His glory.
"For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" -- 1 Corinthians 4:7
God's grace alone saves.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." -- Philippians 2:13