Sure it DOESN'T! I'll repeat...there is NO Scripture verse that says we must do good works in order to be saved.
As for your assertion that I "comically" asserted we do good works to be "popular with others", if you had taken time to read what I wrote and check the Scriptures - of which you claim to be fully knowledgeable - you would see that we are commended to do good works to demonstrate our genuine faith for the sake of others, like James 2 specifically states. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with these passages:
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (I Peter 2:12)
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)
In light of these passages, we can know that James 2 DOES speak about how our works justify us before men and demonstrate our faith is genuine. God, however, see our hearts and already knows us as we know Him. We do not do good works to be seen by others to earn their praise for us, but that God is praised and glorified. He is, after all, the power behind any of the good works we do, which is WHY He alone deserves all praise and glory. Once you study passages such as these, you will begin to understand the role works have in the life of a Christian - who is saved by grace through faith APART from works to the glory of God.
The topic in James 2, Titus 3, Ephesians 2 is salvation and they call us to good works. Read the passages yourself.
Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only? (James 2:24)
Nothing can be plainer.