Grace->Faith->Works

The writer of Ephesians said in chapter 2 verses 8 and 9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Likewise, Paul writes to Timothy saying, 

"Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, and for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. " (2 Timothy 8-14) 

Paul was so moved by Timothy's sincere faith, which started in his grandmother, Lois, continued with his mother, Eunice, and now resides in him. He counts his joy as suffering and invites Timothy to share in the suffering which is our holy calling. It is not because of our works that we are saved, but it is how we know that we are saved through the good works that our faith produces. The book of James talks about what is it to be "doers of the Word" and not simply "hearers". In chapter 1, the author of James has this to say, 

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1: 22-25)

When we accept Christ into our lives as Lord(1)  and Savior(2), we are called to be servants, obedient to the one we have committed our lives to, and as evidence of the change within, the rebirth into a family of God, we find ourselves doing things that we never would have before. This is because we have died to our sin and given ourselves over to new life in the light, where the Holy Spirit is given to guide us and convict us. The author of James goes on in Chapter 2 to saying, 

"But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe- and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness' -and it was counted to him as righteousness'- and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:18-26)

So to end, we are saved by faith, through grace, and was are justified and claim righteousness in the eyes of our Lord and Savior through works. 

1. Merriam-Webster's Definition of Lord: one having power and authority over others.

2. Merriam-Wesbter's Definition of Savior: one who brings salvation (or) one that saves from danger or destruction.