14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2 (NASB)

Discussion,

James is teaching that obedience, fruit, works, following salvation by faith, these things legitimize one’s faith as true, valid, life saving.

James does not teach Faith+Works = salvation but James teaches that the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Seal and Guarantor of New Covenant promise (Ephesians 1:13-14), can be verified by the “fruit” produced by the man or woman who “claims” to be saved; Jesus said this as well (Matthew 7:16). Jesus also said that good fruit honors the Father and proves one to be His disciple (John 15:8); note, a disciple is one who follows and learns from Jesus…these are the redeemed in Jesus by faith.

In fact, James tells you that obedience, works, laws, don’t save anyone as violating a single law makes one guilty of violating all law (James 2:10). Works can’t save but they will substantiate the validity of one’s saving faith as true; this, subsequent salvation as these works, divine fruit, are performed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23).

James tells you that he can demonstrate the validity of his faith by his works…James is not saying that his works saved him but that those works are verification of same.