Grace is reason that we CAN be saved, but not related to whether we will be or not. It's the answer to the question why did Jesus bother??? "God's Grace" is the answer. It was Grace the caused God to send JEsus to open the way for a bunch of totally worthless depraved heathens to become HIS brethren. AND it's only grace that allows us to live long enough under the sentence of death to place our faith in Jesus and become saved.

And the first 8 chapters of Romans eliminate ANY contribution of "Works" to the business of salvation, while James presents works as a "litmus test" for salvation. i.e - IF one has "saving faith" (which IS what our salvation is based on), then there will be "good works" which are in no way salvific, but an indicator that we ARE saved.