So you are saying that if we have faith, we are saved even when, through our human frailty, we commit acts against God or we do not do what Jesus tells us to do in Matthew 25:31-46?
Jesus does not tell us what we need to do, but what we will do. Notice the motivation of the sheep, Lord, when did we see you... The sheep were not trying to earn a reward with their action.
Without faith, nothing that we do is pleasing to God. When we are saved by grace, through faith, we do good works. The sheep didn't do the good works to earn heaven, but because it was a natural fruit of their faith.
Notice verse 34: Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
The sheep are blessed. Verse 34 does not say, "Come, you who earned the reward."
It's not that the goats didn't do good works, it's that the goats couldn't do good works without faith.
I am not saying it. The Bible says it.
Let’s get back to James to answer your question. James throughout his epistle expects his readers to keep the Law of the Old Covenant. Of course this cannot be done, because as Peter observed in Acts, no one can keep the Law. No one can be saved by dos and don’ts - just as Abraham was not credited with righteousness because of his dos and don’ts, but for his faith.
Mt.25 is a description of what people of faith do, not what people do to be saved. This is confirmed when you read their incredulous response in verses 37 to 39.