It’s clear from the opening statement James discusses the characteristics of saving faith:
James 2:
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Yet the works themselves we cannot boast of. Ephesians 2:10 makes it clear we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. So even these works are not salvific but the attributes of God’s workmanship.
And if there is any question on what Paul taught on Justification, he clearly states the conclusion here:
Romans 5:
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have
a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.