Paul is a good example of a man who tried really hard to save himself by following as closely to the law as he could. His struggles are pointed out in Romans 7. The answer was not in himself but in Christ. God has in love stepped in and provided our salvation through Christ. Some have concluded from these verses that salvation is by faith alone, but they are mistaken.
Faith means trust, conviction, and is coupled with obedience.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Man is by no means doing it for himself when he by faith repents and is baptized for the remission of sins. He is trusting God for the promises and acting upon that trust. Christ is set forth as Propitiation and we must believe that his blood is the sufficient price for our sins.