No contradiction. And Amen to the scripture you stated. We don't say well its either what Jesus says or what Paul says. We say amen to both scripture, they are not fighting each other.
Justified is only by Jesus Christ did on the cross, no merit from any works NOR my faith.
Justification requires your cooperation.
Here the catechism explains it.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c3a2.htm
Luke 10
25And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?”
27And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
28And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”
Is Jesus a Liar? Giving half the truth?
No Jesus is telling the whole truth. You can't just split having Faith in God as being negated when you love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind.
Love will carry faith. Faith Alone however can't carry love.
You can have ALL faith, no love, its nothing.
But because the standard is FAITH ALONE has no love in it literally, it doesn't get a pass.
HOWEVER, If when you say FAITH ALONE it means Faith it has Faith , Hope and Love. I would agree with you in a heartbeat.
1 Corinthians 13
2If I have
the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
James 2
24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
So I have to hear your meaning of "faith alone". If there is no love in there. Its worthless.