This view of justification by faith and not by works may appear to conflict with other biblical statements that have been interpreted to indicate a necessity of works. Though we are justified through faith and not by works, the result of regeneration, which accompanies justification, does produce works. A by-product of the realigned spirit and renewed relationship is a desire to do those things which are pleasing to God. This motivation is not driven by a need to earn salvation, but by a desire to do what is pleasing to God. This desire is fueled by the recognition that God has loved man more than humanly conceivable and saved and renewed man more than humanly possible.
Justification is by faith, but the regeneration that accompanies justification produces works.
The resultant works are evidence of the initial faith, but it is not the works that justify. Man's faith procures that work of God and the consequent regeneration produces good works motivated by the renewed relationship. If one is justified in unity with Christ, then one can lose this justification only if the unity is lost. However, the scriptures affirm that this union and justification are forever, do not require renewal, and cannot be lost. It appears that God's justifying sentence, once passed, is irrevocable.