We were not saved by good works but for good works (2 Tim 1.9; Titus 2.14, Eph 2.10). We are not to merely avoid evil, we are to pursue good - and we are to do that to the glory of our Father (Matt 5.16).
To achieve this, as John Piper puts it, "first comes the pardon of Christ, then the pattern of Christ." Paul tells us in Phil 3.9-10 that his ambition was first to share in Christ's righteousness by faith, and then to share his sufferings in ministry. Again, Piper, "Justification precedes and makes possible imitation. Christ's suffering for justification makes possible our suffering for proclamation. Our suffering for others does not remove the wrath of God. It shows the value of having the wrath of God removed by the suffering of Christ. It points people to him. ... Our suffering is crucial (2 tim 2.10), but Christ's alone saves. Therefore, let us imitate his love, but not take his place."
In Christ, we use our freedom to serve one another (Gal 5.13).
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