Is Jesus the Only Way for Salvation?

Catholics and Universalists I would like to hear from on this, what is your view? The Bible says salvation is a free gift from God through Jesus Christ alone. Tell me why you think you need intercessors and that one can be saved through human effort and other means than Christ. Do you believe in ALL that Jesus said or just some of it? Why does Paul state that we are saved by grace alone and NOT by works? And yes, I am sure you will counter with James saying faith without works is dead, but he is saying works are the result of faith, not the other way around in that if you do not see works, then your faith isn't there either. Why do you think you can achieve salvation through your efforts?