“For without Works Faith is Dead”
It should be noted that the phrase is about faith in God providing that is requiring leading by example and not the faith in Jesus Christ for salvation which is without works.
Discipleship in running that race requires works for abiding in Him as His disciples as we live by faith in Jesus Christ to help us live lay aside every weight & sin daily in living that reconciled relationship with God thru Jesus Christ.
As it is, if we run that race as if discipleship is about obtaining salvation, rather than the high prize of our calling to be received by Him as that vessel unto honor in His House when the Bridegroom comes, then we are denying Him as our Savior when we are saved since having come to & believed in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work
reprobate.
Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 4:1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs,
faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Is it any wonder why some believers will be found not wearing their wedding garment as works for salvation can void faith in Jesus Christ in being our Savior for having believed in him in how He as saved us?
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God..... 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching
to save them that believe.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified..... 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
As heresy or works of iniquity can deny Him, so will He deny them, but to show the power of God in salvation for all those that believe in him, even in His name, is why those saints & former believers left behind shall die, but their spirits will be with the Lord in Heaven awaiting for their resurrection after the great tribulation as vessels unto dishonor in His House, the vessels of wood & earth serving the King of kings on that new earth under that new heaven.
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him
: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some
.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Fortunately He is faithful for He still abides in former believers and even for those led astray in running that race in trying to obtain salvation by works that shall get left behind at the rapture event as they shall become vessels unto dishonor in His House as God is able to save those who believe in Jesus Christ, even in His name; nit by the will of the flesh nor by the will of man, but by God saving those who believe.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God
Now saved with Jesus Christ in us, we can look to Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd to help us lay aside every weight & sin daily so we can be received by the Bridegroom as vessels unto honor in His House at the rapture event which is to His glory & not ours .
1 Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Our faith in Jesus Christ while we are running that race.
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, 
