I believe the equation for salvation is that we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith without a system of works alone. But after we are saved by God's grace, I believe "works of faith" is the next step or stage in the salvation process. This is not "Works Alone Salvationism" that Paul was fighting against, but it is merely one's faith being shown as being genuine in the fact that they abide in Christ.
Jason,
I think the problem with the above is your lack of distinction when you say "salvation."
In Reformation Theology (my tradition) there is a distinction. Our changed relationship is typically referred to as "Justification" and the teaching is
SOLA GRATIA - SOLUS CHRISTUS - SOLA FIDE as one undivided, inseparable teaching. Grace Alone - Christ Alone - Faith Alone. An important Christian put it this way: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life." ALL this is God's work. ALL this is "the free gift of God" as Paul declares. It's all because of God's mercy, grace, unconditional love.... Jesus IS THE Savior (not just a savior, not just a helper, not just the possibility maker, not just the model/teacher).... and the divine gift of faith (reliance) embraces this and makes the benefits of it our own. It's GOD'S work. Monergism not synergism.
Once given spiritual life and justifying faith... once made His own.... we are to grow and mature. This is not optional BUT it's not self saving self (making Jesus ultimately not the Savior but just a door opener), it is the NEW self being new. It's important to stress the mandate.... but not to mix it with justification.
An illustration: Perhaps 9 months before my birth, God GAVE me physical life. I didn't earn it, deserve it, request it or create it - in whole or in part. It was a FREE GIFT OF GOD, who is "the Lord and Giver of life" (as we confess in the creed). But once born, almost immediately, God and my parents and society called me to grow, to mature, to be responsible, to serve, to be a moral person. Being a good man is NOT what gave me life (or even preserves it) but the life given to me empowers what I'm now called to do. The call for me to be all God desires is not to be ignored or watered down, but nor is it to be confused with the free gift of life. Self is not the Lord and Giver of Life. God is. In the same way, spiritual life was GIVEN to me (I believe within one minute of my physical birth, when I was baptized but that's a different issue). It means I have faith... I am justified.... I am a child of God.... I am heaven bound... as the free gift of God.... Jesus did it.... the Holy Spirit made it my own.... I have recieved faith, life, the Holy Spirit. NOW, I am to become ever more Christ-life. NOW I am to increasingly to love and serve. Two interrelated but separate issues.
I hope that contributes something...
- Josiah