First, I do know that I am justified before a holy God by faith alone. There is nothing I can personally do to merit that standing. My salvation is totally God's work in Christ. I stand solidly with the Apostle Paul and the 16th Century reformers. Secondly, I also know that authentic faith must find expression in love.
Works become the essential result and consequence of faith a sure and predictable byproduct.
In this I stand with James. Then, this being true, authentic faith is both vertical and horizontal, personal and expressive, inward and outward, immediate and continuous, theoretical and practical. Justifying faith cannot stand alone. It must express itself in good works. The interplay is essential.