This centuries-long argument between ‘saved by grace’ and ‘faith needs good works’ is like watching the blind-folded men and the elephant.
Paul was warning against imagining that works will save. There are too many improper motivations for works. Fear of punishment, lust for rewards, thirst for honor among men… You can quickly take your eyes off the bouncing ball. It is devotion that results from the realization of the free gifts for salvation that comes first. Remember Jesus and the sisters. You shouldn’t be so concerned with being a proper host/hostess that you completely lose sight of the purpose of the gathering.
James was concerned with the causal link between faith and works. Simply believing that the Deity will do this or has done that, without it affecting the world in some positive way, is a dead faith. It has no activity. It probably has no Grace attached to it. James was exhorting the faithful to let works affirm and reinforce their faith.
Actually this post makes good sense, don’t dismiss it just by it’s author.