First of all, St.Paul does not go against St.James, nor Our Lord, Jesus Christ for that matter.
Holy Gospel according to St.John
Chapter 6
[28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
[29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
St.Paul 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 3
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
~~~~~~~~~
Sir, you talk about "earning one's way into heaven" and "not being good enough to earn their way into heaven." Sir, Orthodox Christians do not talk like that. When it comes to "Salvation"; "earning" salvation is just not Orthodox. Your accusations sound like the attacks I would get from protestants when I would talk to them about being co-workers with God (II Corinthians 6:1).
The issue here is "Salvation", is it not? I think it is very important to begin by looking at what "Salvation" means. "Salvation" means to be made whole, to be healed. Now, for us to be healed, it is obvious that we must be suffering from a sickness and that sickness is sin. In order to be healed -as I stated initially- the Holy Orthodox Church; the Body of Christ, has given us many medicines to help us be healed from the illness of sin. This includes, being in the Life of the Church and not exclusively faith. Quoting what I said earlier:
Theosis is achieved by praying, fasting, almsgiving, confession, attending the Divine Liturgy, partaking of communion, celebrating His feast days and the days of His saintly mother and saints and in the Life of His Church, Jesus Christ's Church. His mysteries speak of His life, to be one with his mysteries is to also be one with Him. We must also live in love for one another, caring and supporting one another. Giving to the poor, the orphan and the widow. To be one with Him, to be one with His children, is growing in that likeness of Him.
If you have a problem with this, please read Nicholas Cabasilas "The Life in Christ" (
http://www.academia.edu/1905623/_The_Life_in_Christ_by_Nicholas_Cabasilas_A_Mystagogical_Work_ ) . Sir, I am no one, but I trust the Fathers of the Church and I'm merely echoing what they say.
Further, on this point of salvation as I mentioned above:
We are saved BY GOD'S MERCY.
If you disagree, then read this:
Patriarch Jeremias II of Constantinople refuting Article VI of the Protestant Augsburg Confession, regarding salvation by faith alone:
The sixth [article] gives the assurance that it is necessary to do good works but not to be dependent on them according to the passage: "Enter not into judgment with thy servant" [Ps 143:2]. With regard to this we say that faith precedes, and then the
works follow and are necessary according to the commandment of God. The one who fulfills them, as he must,
receives reward and honor in everlasting life. Indeed, good works are not separate from, but
necessary for, true faith. One should not trust in works nor be boastful in a Pharisaic manner. And even if we have fulfilled everything, according to the word of the Lord, "we are unworthy servants" [Lk 17:10]. All things should be referred to the righteousness of God because those things which have been offered by us are small or nothing at all. According to Chrysostom, it has been established that
God does not lead those of us who are idle into His kingdom. The Lord "opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble" [1 Pet 5:5; see Jas 4:6; Pr 3:24]. One should not boast about works. But
to do and fulfill them is most necessary. For without divine works it is impossible to be saved. If, then, we will be convinced by the Lord who says, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" [Jn 13:17], it shall be to our benefit.
It is necessary to join our good works together with the mercy from above. If we excuse ourselves because of our weakness or the goodness of God and do not
add something of our own, there will be no benefit to us. How can we invoke
mercy for the cure of our iniquities if it, no way have we
done anything to appease the Divine One?