I used to have a problem with this statement which comes from the book of James.   

Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. Jam 2:17 The purpose of faith is to appropriate that which Grace has provided.     If nothing has been appropriated then that faith is dead.     Appropriation is the materialization in the Physical Realm of a Spiritual Blessing in Heavenly Places.

The thought of how we could earn brownie points with God through our good works and somehow augment the work of Christ and Grace came from Satan to confuse and deceive?   

The point James was trying to make to the church in the first century needs to be made to the church in the twenty-first century.   

Though faith in Jesus Christ`s finished work is All that is necessary for personal salvation it is not What is God`s will?   

For the Holy Spirit so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Joh 3:16 The Holy Spirit is the eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Creator of all things by the Word.      What world is John speaking of?         ➛ The earth and all the people born into humanity.      The Holy Spirit is love and love is of the Holy Spirit.      The world was created by our Lord and it is good.     We know that man chose rebellion against the Holy Spirit and so humanity became evil.     But the Holy Spirit loves the people of this world and so He birthed Christ Jesus into the world to redeem it and us.      The Gospel is heard and those who are hungry are lead by the Holy Spirit to believe and receive the Truth.      The Truth sets us free from sin, from death and hell and brings us to Eternal Life by the infilling of the Holy Spirit.      Here is understanding:    ➛ Everlasting Life is Eternal Life    ➛ Eternal Life is union with the Holy Spirit.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pe 3:9 The Holy Spirit is love and His love is manifest in Christ who made it possible for us to be born of His Holy Spirit and so be In Christ.      But, He gives us the choice between life and death.     When a person receives Christ Jesus they receive Eternal Life.     When a person rejects Christ Jesus they enter into Eternal Death against the Lord`s will.      This verse totally undermines the false doctrine of Extreme Sovereignty.     We do not see all men coming to repentance so the Lord`s will is not done with respect to every human being.

How is God`s will to be accomplished?   

But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Act 1:8 The Holy Spirit is the Gift Of Christ Jesus Himself.      We are weak in the flesh but by the power of His Holy Spirit we can do all things.     At the top of the list of `all things` is spreading the Gospel of salvation by Grace Through Faith.      Jesus did not say you will receive tongues or gifts.     He said you will receive power to be witnesses unto Him.     Tongues and gifts are for the church which is the Body Of Christ.

So, we see that God expects us to work so that His will be done.   

Believing is necessary and sufficient for salvation.   Praying is good - do it without ceasing.   But believing and praying are not substitutes for work.   

The Kingdom of God will not manifest in this world unless we work.   Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is near two thousand years ago.   How much more should it be manifest now than then?   

We have a dual nature in Christ just as Jesus had a dual nature.   He is the Son of God but He made Himself a servant of God.   

Likewise, we are now sons of God but we are also His servants.   Servants by definition work for their master.   It is time for All Christians to begin to serve, to work.   

We should not substitute lower levels of work for the most important work.   Lower levels of work are related to intercessory prayer, giving and doing good deeds.   The highest level of work is to witness for Jesus Christ.   To witness is to testify which implies words are used.   

Remember, it is the Truth that sets people free.   The Truth is the Word of God, both written and incarnate in Jesus Christ.   

In Order to see the results we want to see in our families, our communities and our nation we must work.   Preaching and teaching the Gospel is the work that God has charged us with.   

And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mar 16:15 This is the Great Commission.     It is still in force.     We are expected to carry the Gospel to every creature.      Jesus did not expect every person to believe, but He wants us to make sure all nations hear the Gospel as it is a criteria for His return.     Mat 24:14

If you have the Holy Spirit Father in you, He will do works through you.   
If you don't, don't bother.   

First be filled with the Holy Spirit and then you will become a witness unto Him and the signs (healings, deliverances, disciples) will follow you.   

Nominal Christianity has substituted human works for the works of the Holy Spirit.   

The Book of Acts is not the acts of the apostles, but the acts of the Holy Spirit through the apostles.   

Why did the catholic church relegate the Holy Spirit to God 3rd class when He is the Spirit Of Christ Jesus.   

Then when the reformation happened the reformers too relegated the Holy Spirit to God 3rd class.   

If you are looking for what went wrong in Christianity it was the RraditionsOfMen being taught as doctrine rather than the straightforward, matter-of-fact words of Christ Jesus.   

John Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize (immerse) us with the Holy Spirit and fire.   

Jesus told His disciples to tarry in jerusalem until they were endured with power from on high.   This power is the comforter, the helper, the teacher, the Spirit Of Truth - THE holy Spirit Of Christ Jesus.