If salvation is by faith and not works (Eph 2:8-9), then there indeed is a contradiction with James 2.
Which is it: Faith with works, or faith whithout works? It can't be both...
Two different salvations francisdesales???? Where did you come up with that, and what proof do you offer to support your veiw?
On the first, recall that "works" in Ephesians is in reference to "works of the Law", what made Jews distinct from other people. Obedience to the Law was the JEWS response to the Covenant. Part of being the "People of God" was obedience to the covenant. Now, as a result of Christ, that dividing wall between the Jew and the Gentile has been broken down. To be part of the People of God, one doesn't have to be an ethnic Jew, nor to become a prostelyte and a convert to Judaism, binding oneself to the Mosaic Law. NOW, salvation is through faith (and Paul argues elsewhere it was always so...), rather than works of the Law.
Thus, when reading Ephesians, we must keep that context in mind - a writing to the Gentiles to reassure them contra Judaizers trying to get them to circumcise the flesh. In Eph 2:10, note, we are made to do good works in Christ, so good works are certainly not the subject of Eph 2:8-9. Clearly, "works" there is vs "works of the law", since who would deny that a person does not have to "work", meaning repent, convert and believe - all actions done by people...
As to the second comment, the Bible speaks of salvation as a past event and as a future event:
Future (twice here)
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Romans 5:9-10
Past
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time 2 Tim 1:9
So it is easy to see that one person, thinking about eternal life in heaven, can say "hey, we aren't saved yet" and the other guy saying "oh yes, we have, when I proclaimed Jesus as my savior, I was saved..." and speak past each other. Happens here all the time.
Regards