God has an earthly agency called 'Israel,’ His earthly kingdom, where He requires belief in Jesus Christ as their Messiah, and in outward expressions of faith, called “works,” for salvation. God also has a heavenly agency called the “Body of Christ” where no works are required for salvation; only faith in Jesus’ shed blood, death, buriel and resurrection is required, for salvation. “Right division” (2 Tim 2:15 King James) of the Word of God will tell you which agency each of the verses below belongs to:
James, to the “twelve tribes” of Israel said:
(James 1:1; 2:14 KJ) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (2:14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Paul, to the Body of Christ said:
(Ephesians 2:8,9 KJ) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJ) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.