Real salvation, on the other hand, is for people who have abandoned their own efforts for spiritual or religious betterment, realizing that in their own strength they are incapable of coming to God. Redemption is for those who repent of sin and cast themselves on God's mercy, recognizing that anything good they receive or accomplish occurs only by God's sovereign, gracious provision in Christ.

-John MacArthur

Wow.. only by God's grace.