That's a very valid question, however.
There IS a difference between intellectual assent and the kind of belief/faith that results in salvation.
James says, (James 2:19) You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Many people acknowledge the existence of God and at times maybe even do things that they think might appease Him if they feel guilty about something they have done. But as Jesus said, many will come claiming to have done great things in His name and He will declare that He NEVER knew them.
Perhaps the best example of saving faith is demonstrated by this parable.
Luke 18:9-14 9He 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. 11The 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.' 13But 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!' 14I 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."
I know that there is controversy among Protestants over the idea of free will, however, when God offers us the gift of salvation, one must choose to receive it. Intellectually acknowledging it isn't enough. It's a choice to trust. That's what I think that most of us essentially mean by faith.
So, yes, I will show my faith by my works, not that I work to complete my faith, but rather that my faith is demonstrated to be genuine by the works which follow my conversion. The works are simply the result of my faith and show that saving faith was exercised.
The problem is, that people can also DO similar kinds of works, thinking that it is earning them points with God and that can bring confusion for someone who does not really understand what Scripture has to say about the place of works in the life of the believer.
Works are expected to follow belief and if they don't, that person needs to take a good hard look at what they are really thinking of believing.
I remember a friend we had from another community who was saved in one of these dramatic conversions. He was saved out of a terrible situation. He was very rough around the edges and was constantly criticized by the *good* church people for his short comings. However, he truly loved the Lord, and tried as much as was within him to do the right thing out of that love. Sure, he didn't measure up to someone who had been raised in a Christian home, but IMO, he made light-years more progress spiritually that those who judged and criticized him.
His works weren't perfect, far from it, and he knew that. He would have fallen short in almost everyone's *works* book. But his heart was right and he showed far more unconditional love towards others than the rest who condemned him.
I think it's not a matter of where we are compared to others, as much as where we are compared to where we started from.
INDEED.