The Bible says we are not saved by works.
The Bible says faith without works is dead which means if you do not have works then faith is void in your life and we are saved by faith.
This is not a contradiction not saved by works,saved by works.
Simply put,not saved by works-works of the flesh,saved by works,or
works to have faith activated in our life-works of the Spirit.
When the Bible says we are not saved by works it means we are not saved by anything we do according to the flesh like the Old Testament physical ordinances or false religions but only by Jesus Christ.
When the Bible says faith without works is dead it means
we have to have works of the Spirit to have faith activated in our life which we are saved by faith.
This is not talking about works to be initially saved because you are not living for God and being led of the Spirit except repenting,but
after you are initially saved you have to have works of the Spirit to have faith activated in your life.
So we are not saved by any works we do according to the flesh to be right with God like the Old Testament physical ordinances or false religions,but
after we are initially saved we have to have works of the Spirit,like feed the poor,preach the Gospel,and do good,
to have faith active in our life.
So there is no contradiction between the 2 because one is trying to get to heaven by works according to the flesh which will not save us,and the other is
doing works of the Spirit to have faith active in our life.
Works of the flesh-no bearing on salvation,
works of the Spirit-faith active in your life,bearing on salvation.No contradiction.
We all know we have to have works of the Spirit after we are saved so there should be no problem with that scripture faith without works is dead,because we all must preach the Gospel,feed and clothe the poor,and generally love people.
The Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling so what do people think of that one because it sounds like we have a responsibility in our salvation after we are saved to keep ourselves right without slipping.