Scripture tells us that we should test ourselves to see whether or not we are of the faith. In Ephesians 2:8-10 we see two topics that are intimately connected together; salvation and good works.
We are saved by grace through faith and it is not of ourselves that we should have anything to boast about. But how much of people's stories do we hear about what they have done to be saved. They may be saved but they have come to the place of expressing that salvation in terms of saying a prayer, getting baptized, and joining a church and that is not salvation. There is nothing for us to boast about when it comes to our salvation. Sometimes what we start out by the Spirit we attempt to complete in the flesh. That includes doing whatever good works that we are attempting to do.
God has already prepared the good works beforehand that we should walk in them. And we are to walk in them by the same grace that we were saved in. Good works are not defined by what we have determined is good but by abiding in Christ and bearing fruit by the Spirit of grace within us.