And you are correct! There is no activity or action that is needed for us not to kill, lie and steal. That is my point.
But what does Paul tell us? He tells us of a law of God that DOES require some sort of action (deeds/works).
And it is this law that requires works that cannot not save. Let's read what the Law of the Levites was;
Num.8
[6] Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
[9] And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:
[10] And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
[11] And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.
[12] And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
So now we find a law that God gave to the Levites that required WORK/DEEDS. And the work of the law was to kill animals for the remission of sins. They were the ONLY ones that were given this law from God. No others from the nation of Israel was given this commandment. Now let's read from Paul;
Heb.7
[11] If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
And what was it that the Levites did to TRY to give perfection, or remove sin? Kill animals. But could the killing of animals make those that offered sinless? Let's read....
[19] For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
[28] For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Now WHICH law could not make perfect? And WHICH law made men high priest? The laws of God that He ONLY gave to the Levites.
This is the law that require works but could not justify, or remove sins.