**This is a difficult area to navigate in the Bible, as various references seem at odds with each other, ***
Difficult only till you realize who is speaking and to whom he his speaking.
PAUL was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Did not require the Gentiles to convert to Judaism before becoming Christian, did not require any of the Jewish rituals for Gentiles,(circumcision, Temple sacrifices), and preached Salvation without Works.
James, an apostle to the Circumcision, wrote to the TWELVE TRIBES SCATTERED ABROAD, and held all Jewish believers to the LAW. Was quick to show Paul how many people believed and “were zealous of the law!”. This included Pharisees who demanded Gentile circumcision, and Temple priests.
James even talked Paul into taking men with vows on their heads and paying for their sacrifices in the Temple to show the people that the things they had heard about Paul preaching against MOSES was not so. To him, salvation was by faith in Christ, AND continuation of the Jewish requirements.
Paul’s own words...Gal 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Gal 2:3
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Gal 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:7
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Gal 2:9
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
I never said that salvation required only works or faith with works. Read my posts.
If you die as one who just accepted Christ a minute before, you never had time to evince any fruits, yet you should be saved.