“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God – that you believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)
There is no end to the activities religious people will pursue to try and make themselves feel they are right with God.
Acts of charity, spiritual disciplines, seeking virtue, and avoiding vice – all are good but according to Jesus, these are not the point.
Trusting him is the point. Believing Jesus himself is enough, that his forgiveness is sufficient to make us right with God, this is the real work that God wants.
Why? Because Jesus did not shed his blood to purchase slaves to work, but to adopt sons and daughters to be loved.
The real work is believing this for ourselves, and living in light of the truth.