Unfortunately, I feel that the recovered truth of justification by faith and not works when held onto in isolation from all the other truths of the Bible has led us to the easy believism and shallow Christianity that is ubiquitous in this country. Too many people are only interested in getting their ticket to heaven punched and they'll take a pass on anything that looks like discipleship or carrying a cross. They don't understand that confessing "Jesus is Lord" doesn't just mean Jesus is God (which is true) but that Jesus is supreme Boss and Master. And not just Boss and Master in general but MY Boss and Master. Submission and surrender to the supreme Leader goes hand-in-hand with receiving all the wonderful benefits of salvation. And so many preachers and pastors are too eager to present a one-sided gospel message because it does result in larger congregations and so they feel that God is at work, look at the results. The Bible describes the scene when these tares get the shock of their lives when they see Jesus face to face:
25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
Luke 13:25-28
It is true that we are justified by faith and not works but after having been saved by grace let us not look at good works as something to be avoided. We shun sin and engage in good works because 1) it is what our new nature is about as we are in the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus and 2) it shows respect and reverence to our Lord. Jesus died to not only forgive us sin but deliver us from its servitude and power.
Tragically so many people are so focused on the mechanics of salvation and not that interested in having a relationship with Jesus. The most sold-out to God Christians I have ever met were ones who came from lives of utter rebellion against God and authority in general. They hit rock bottom and in their despair they cried out to God and He heard them and saved them. Their lives were transformed radically from darkness to light and these souls tasted the exquisite beauty of living with the Savior in love and trust. They were forgiven much (and they knew it) and so they loved (Jesus) much. If we will see that the most important thing in life is RELATIONSHIP, first with God and then with others, you don't need to strain so much on the rules because your behavior will already be set on a good trajectory.
-Daniel