Works are the Results, not the Means
Many misunderstand the path to knowing God. They do works to know God; but works are the result of knowing Him, not the means.
Knowing God is initiated by seeking Him through persistent prayer and reading His Word; that is how the relationship is built.
Hearing and obeying His voice is doing the Word, and investing in an intimate relationship is how the sanctification process is accomplished.
Misplaced efforts create wood, hay and stubble; but genuine investment garners gold, silver, and precious stones that will endure.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
1Co 3:12-15 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.