This is an austere truth, a truth we would like to reject, but if we reject the cross and suffering we are satans, we are deserving of the reproach that good Saint Peter heard coming from Jesus when he wanted Him to avoid His Passion. There are no servants of God without crucifixion on earth. That is the truth of God. I cannot do anything about it. Gods mercy has saved us, we no longer need to do anything but believe.
Lets sit back and smoke our pipe.
Then God will put us in Heaven, as long as we have faith. That is pretty much the attitude of many modern Catholics. It is a very accommodating theory, but it is false. Yes, Christ has won infinite merits for us, but these infinite merits must be applied. A comparison will help us to understand this a little.