Justification by the Law or by Faith

   It seems like Paul's writings in Romans and James' writings in James of the New Testament seem to contradict each other: Paul teaches that we are not saved only by following the Law, or the commandments.  He explains that it is as if you are relying on your own merits to save you; "If I follow the law perfectly, never sin, I can save myself instead of needing a Savior."  Most of us can probably readily admit that no one is perfect and even if someone sins very little, they are still breaking the same Law as someone who sins a lot.  They are still not worthy to live with God again, who can have no unclean thing before Him.