Since we are redeemed from our sin and its wretched consequences by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why must we do good works?

Because just as Christ has redeemed us with His blood He also renews us through His Holy Spirit according to His own image, so that with our hole life we may show ourselves grateful to God for His goodness and that He may be glorified through us; and further, so that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits and by our reverent behavior may win our neighbors to Christ.

Can those who do not turn to God from their ungrateful impentitent life be saved?

Certainly not! Scripture says,  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

I. Saved Sinners Become Sanctified

A. Do not surrender to sin. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (Romans 6:12)

1. The real power driving your life will show through in your conduct.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  (Romans 6:16)

2. Refusal to accept sin=s mastery is evidence of new life in Christ.  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (Romans 7:23-24)

People who are content with sin do not yearn for the Savior and the changes He brings to life.

B. Holiness is the appropriate objective of someone freed from sin.  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (Romans 12:1)

C. Redemption is in order to productive service. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  (1 Peter 2:5-10)

II. Holiness Honors the Savior

A. Transformed lives inevitably cause other people to turn toward the source of the change. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:16)

1. Righteousness compounds itself. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  (Proverbs 4:18)

2. It doesn=t matter how hopeless holiness may seem, by God=s grace it is sufficiently powerful to over overcome evil.  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.  (Isaiah 60:1-3)

B. The life which does not appear changed may not be changed. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

C. Changed lives teach theology in ways arguments cannot.  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  (1 Peter 2:12)

D. The external evidence of the internal nature is inevitable. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (Matthew 7:17)

E. The good fruit which is the evidence of a changed life is far from mysterious. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  (Galatians 5:22-24)

F. Reverent behavior is a powerful evangelistic tool.  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  (1 Peter 3:1-2)

III. Absence of Holiness Is Evidence of an Unchanged Life

A. Those who continue to practice evil have no place in the coming kingdom.  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)