Salvation comes through faith in the redeeming work of Christ on the cross. That’s the only way.
Good works are evidence of a changed heart. Of the power of the Holy Spirit to make us new.
There are no works that can be done in lieu of accepting Christ’s payment of our sin debt. But how can we come to the realization that the One True God – totally free of any guilt – died a brutal death so that we could live, and not desire to do good for Him?
There is no salvation apart from faith, yet how can we have faith and not show it with good works?
Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? (James 2:18-20 NLT)
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:9, 10 NLT)
The Bible is pretty clear about the correlation between our faith and our works. We must acknowledge Jesus as the only one that can save us from eternal separation from God. Then we must set out to demonstrate the change he has made in our life. We work for him, now.