It is necessary to first establish the fact that the statement of James that “faith without works is dead”, applies to the fellow who knows the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such a person knows the facts about God in the mind, is persuaded of the truth of the gospel and is in agreement with Christian principles. In fact, such a person takes part in Christian worship, is a church-goer and believes with all sincerity that he or she is a true child of God. The only issue is that such a person fails to commit to Jesus in a way and manner that leads to changes in lifestyle. Such people refuse to allow old things in their lives to pass away – there is no crossing the line from darkness to light, there is no spiritual development or growth and such a person does not bear the fruits of righteousness. James 2:17 describes a person whose faith is dead because there are no works to show for it. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus was referring to such people when He said:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
 
It is very clear therefore that there is a form of action that must follow any profession of faith in Christ Jesus before such faith can be called a living faith. When profession of faith is not backed up with action, then such faith is dead. Many are in the Church today living their lives the same way as people who do not know Christ. The Bible in 2 Timothy 3:5a, described such people as
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:”
Such people profess faith in the Son of God; they claim that they believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ but they flatly deny the transforming power in the Word of God. They would do anything in the Name of God except allow any genuine transformation to take place in their lives.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2
 
Children of God, faith without works is dead, and dead faith is of no use to anyone. Renew your faith today by backing it up with active works of righteousness. Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge and transformed into the image of Christ (Colossians 3:10).

If Jesus said faith and work goes hand in hand together, what of Paul's doctrine that says faith is the main virtue to enter the kingdom of God, and he exclude work.

"we ourselves, who are jews by birth and not gentile sinners, yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in jesus christ, even we have believed in christ jesus, in order to be justified by faith in christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified." (galatians 2:15-16)

"for we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of law." (romans 3:28).

So, who are we to believe?