The bible records that Job was an upright man. In fact in his day, there was no one like him on the earth, blameless and upright, fearing God, and turning from evil (Job 1:8, 2:3).
This righteousness that Job possessed was not a form of works that somehow impressed God. Job was a man who was committed to serving God. He understood who God is, and how God desires each and everyone of us to live. Job's fear of the Lord, led him to forsake sin, and live righteously in his generation.
It is important to see that the Lord regarded Job as "His servant". Jesus teaches us that a true servant does not serve for the reward, but serves because it is his duty to serve (Luke 17:7-10).
In other words, works done for a reward, are works that cannot please God. It is those things done for God, without self interest as a motive, that are pleasing to Him.
This is how true saving faith works in the life of the believer. He lives for the glory of God, doing those things that please God, without thought of self. Like Abraham, faith is working with his deeds, and the scriptures are fulfilled, that "He believed God and it was counted as righteousness" (James 2:21-24).
This is what pleases God, when we lose our lives for His sake. Then our obedience is to Him a service of love, pleasing in His sight.
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