Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. KJV
SAVED WITHOUT WORKS FOR GOOD WORKS
Our redemption was paid for fully by Christ. We didn't work for it because we don't have to. If we try to work for it, we won't be able to pay for it. The price is just too high for any human to pay because: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;", Rom 3:23 KJV. We lack the spiritual capacity to purchase our own redemption because of the inherent sin nature that was passed to us through Adam: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:", Rom5:12. The state of mankind without a saviour was pitiable and doomed but for Christ's rescue mission: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord", Rom6:23.
Though (good)works cannot earn salvation and couldn't have given us the gift of eternal life, yet we are saved to produce good works( Godly living) that is pleasing unto God. Babies don't come to the world on their own volition. Some persons paid the price for their coming into the world. The action of two people ( husband and wife) brought them into the world. Nothing is expected of a foetus in the womb but the moment they come into the world, the journey of responsibility begins. A child is expected to grow from dependence to independence, from childishness to maturity. This illustration points to what is expected of us after salvation. Now that you're in God's family, good works( Godly living) is expected of you. It should be a life style. In the opening text, that is why Paul said God hath ordained us to walk( present continuous tense in Greek) in them. Our daily walk is expected to be in godliness. That's the essence of your salvation.
That Christ-like character is what God expect from you now that you're saved. That is the good works you're expected to walk in. You can bask in the euphoria of being saved by grace( which is true) but God is calling you and me to a place of responsibility as sons or else we'll slip into libertinism. Your faith in the finished work of Christ that brought you into salvation must produce good deeds: "So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless", James2:17 NLT.
Father, I receive the grace to abound in good work in Jesus name.