The fact that there's been an ongoing discussion about djr's religion was just brought to my attention, but I still haven't read the relevant articles. I was not intending to take sides in that discussion, but just to warn people that there might be some differences in terminology between us because of background. You're right that being a Christian is a lot of work. But I wouldn't say that this work earns salvation. If you're implying that good works done with faith, or faith itself, earn something, then I'd disagree.
Grace is both free and costly.
It's free in the sense that the price has already been paid. No matter how bad we are, we can still accept it. But it's costly in the sense that it will ultimately cost us our whole lives. If people are saying that grace is free in the sense that it commits us to nothing, then I strongly disagree. No salesman will call.