The works are to walk in for sure, but the salvation is by grace through faith and God gives the reason.
So that no one would boast.
Salvation by faith alone precludes ANY boasting on the part of any man.
Claiming works are needed opens that door for man to take credit, boast, and then hold God in debt to the man for what the man has done.
It also takes the gift aspect out of salvation and makes it wages due for work performed, thus completely negating the grace and mercy part.
Folks can SEE lots of boasting in this thread.
I wonder what a rational person could conclude from that?