I am not dueling with you, how do you reconcile both? THAT is the question.
It's very easy actually. First and foremost we must understand that it is faith alone that saves. From that we are filled with the Holy Spirit who is our counsellor. Our focus changes. Our desires change. We begin to respond to His guidance and counsel. It is from His working through us that we begin to do the deeds of a true believer. That's why James said that we would be able to see a true believer by the works we do. The works were only an indication and proof that we had faith and the Holy Spirit was working through us. The works were the evidence of that saving faith.