The House

Picture the safe house of salvation in this way.  Approaching the house there is a sign above the door that reads "Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."  Upon entering you look back at the door and above it reads a sign that says, "It was by grace that you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

How one understands the message of salvation depends on one's perspective.  The evangelist does not go around telling people there is nothing they can do to be saved.  Imagine the jailer in Acts chapter 16 when there was an earthquake and his prisoners, Paul and Silas, were found walking about freed from their chains.  The jailer in fear and trembling says to Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  If Paul would have said, "Sorry pal, there is nothing you can do."  The jailer would have likely thrust himself through with his own sword.  After he received the message of Christ however Paul could have explained that the whole ordeal of the earthquake and all things leading up to it was God's grace bringing the jailer to the door, which by faith, he entered.  One must walk to get through the door but he does not open the door on his own.  The door is Christ and it swings on the hinges of God's grace.