Many Lordship Salvation advocates are mistaken in their application of James 2:14-20 James is teaching that our works are a sign to unbelievers and others of our faith. Our works do not justify us before God. It is also a mistake to use our works as proof of our salvation or basis for personal assurance. This leads to the Romish treadmill of works righteousness. For if we look to the law and our obedience to it for our assurance we are going to be filled with doubts. How many works does it take? We can never be sure if we have done enough to assure ourself. No, our assurance must come from the nail-scarred hand of Jesus who said to come to Him and that He would never cast us out. Faith is belief. Faith alone saves--not the act of believing itself but the object believed, the gospel. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.