How can works be expected since the curse comes on all who do not do ALL THE WORKS of the Law. You either rely on ALL the works and faith or you rely on faith without works. I'll choose the latter.
This is a nonsense distinction, though. We are saved by faith alone. The thief on the cross was saved by faith alone, sure. But if your “faith” is truly alone, there is a defect which is repeatedly addressed in Scripture.
James and Paul both teach that Abraham was saved by faith alone: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (James2:23; Rom4:3; Gen15:6) James makes the point that Abraham's faith was not alone, as decades later, Abraham demonstrated his faith by offering Isaac. A guy in the Corinthian church claimed to have faith and was included in that church...but he decided to shack up with his step-mom, such that Paul (quoting Deuteronomy) demanded that the rebel be removed. (1Cor5:11-13) And of course, John also teaches against those who claim to have faith but live a lifestyle of unrepentant sin.
1John1:6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Jesus obviously expected “works.”
Luke6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” Also, John14:15,23 among dozens of others.
If we have the Spirit, we can expect to be transformed into the image of the Son. (2Cor3:18) Slowly, awkwardly, frustratingly...but surely. God gives us grace and true grace is powerful:
1Cor15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Works can never save us. But if you have been saved, a desire to obey and follow the One who gave Himself up for you should naturally coexist with that salvation. If that desire is absent and you aspire to be a “carnal Christian” who rebels as much as possible while still trying to “believe” enough to get into Heaven, the Scriptures on the whole will offer you no comfort.
But if you have the Spirit, you have new life right now. It's not just about going to Heaven when you die.