Protestantism teaches that faith alone justifies and saves us, and that works, though certainly necessary in the Christian life, have nothing directly to do with salvation at all — not even if construed as organically flowing from faith and entirely enabled by God’s grace (as we believe). The Bible massively contradicts this notion, in at least 80 passages that I have found.

Holy Scripture teaches that the “end” of “sanctification” is “eternal life” (Romans 6:22) and that we’re “saved, through sanctification by the Spirit” (2 Thessalonians 2:13; cf. 1 Peter 1:2) — sanctification having to do with grace-enabled and grace-caused good works. 

God “saves the upright in heart” (Psalm 7:10) and “he who ... speaks” (Isaiah 33:15) and “walks” uprightly (Isaiah 57:2). 

Numerous times, it’s stated that the “righteous” will be saved (Isaiah 1:27; 26:2; 32:17; 33:15; 56:1; 57:1-2; Jeremiah 22:3; Matthew 25:46; 1 Timothy 6:11-12). “In every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:35).

Frequently, acts of love are cited as necessary to salvation (1 Timothy 6:11-12; Hebrews 10:24; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Jude 21). We must “abound in love ... to all men” to be “unblameable in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). “Love your enemies ... and you will be sons of the Most High” (Luke 6:35). “Put on the breastplate of faith and love. ... For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9).

Following God’s “commandments” or “commands” and overall obedience to him are hallmarks and causes of salvation (Isaiah 48:18; Jeremiah 7:23; 26:13; Matthew 19:16-17; John 3:36; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Timothy 6:14; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:2, 22; 1 John 2:3-4; 3:24; Revelation 14:12).

Those who “keep justice” or “do justice” will be saved (Isaiah 56:1; Jeremiah 22:3).

Salvation is determined by our “deeds” and “doings” and “conduct” and “well-doing” and by what we have “done” (Isaiah 59:18; Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 36:19; Hosea 4:9; Obadiah 1:15; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:7; 13:11, 13; Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16; 6:18-19; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 14:13; 20:12-13). The “doers of the law ... will be justified” (Romans 2:13).

Those who do “good” will attain eternal life or the “resurrection of life” or “immortality” (Jeremiah 6:16; Amos 5:14; Luke 6:35; John 5:28-29; Romans 2:7, 10; 1 Timothy 6:18-19).

Those who deliver others from oppression will be saved (Jeremiah 21:12; 22:3).

If we “judge the cause of the poor and needy” we’ll be saved (Jeremiah 22:16).

We must be fruitful or bear “good fruit” to attain to eternal life (Matthew 3:10; 7:18-20; Luke 3:9; John 15:2, 5-6, 8).

“He who does the will of” God will be saved (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 10:26).

“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, [or “wife,” Luke 18:29] for my name’s sake, will ... inherit [or “receive,” Luke 18:30] eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ... ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ ... They [who didn’t do these things] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’” (Matthew 25:34-36, 40, 46).

“Lend, expecting nothing in return, and you will be sons of the Most High” (Luke 6:35).

If we suffer “the loss of all things” (Philippians 3:8; cf. Matthew 19:21), or “share” in the “sufferings” of Jesus (Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10-12; 1 Peter 4:13) we will be saved.

“Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in ... love and holiness, with modesty” (1 Timothy 2:15).

Those characterized by holiness, godliness, steadfastness and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Peter 3:11-14) and who “supplement” their “faith” with “virtue” and “self-control” (2 Peter 1:5, 11) will receive “an entrance into the eternal kingdom.”

If we’re “generous” we’ll be saved (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

If we’re “tested” and “have tribulation” and are “faithful unto death” we’ll receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Those who “walk with” Jesus and are “worthy” will be included in “the book of life” (Revelation 3:4-5).

We’re judged fit for heaven according to our good “works” (Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Hebrews 10:24; Revelation 2:5, 19, 23, 26). “He will render to every man according to his works” (Romans 2:6). “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Paul thought that those who “labored side by side with me in the gospel” were saved (those whose “names are in the book of life”) (Philippians 4:3).

What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? ... So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. ... faith apart from works is barren ... You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works ... You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. ... Faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26). 

This is the only time “faith alone” appears in the Bible, and James 2 repeatedly refutes the doctrine.