No, you misunderstand.
Salvation by faith in Christ alone wasn't good enough in their own eyes.
They wouldn't accept the righteousness which is by faith in Christ, and would rather find a way to have their OWN righteousness count somehow.
If a person doesn't want Jesus as Savior, there is no more, in a sense for them, sacrifice for sin, for the only sacrifice for sin that God accepts now, is that of His only begotten Son who shed His blood and died on the cross for us.
If you reject this gift, there remains no more sacrifice for sin, because God will not accept any other way to Him.
I hope you are not trusting in anything you attempt to do...not water-baptism, not your own obedience, not your own confession or repentence or best behavior.
I hope you see that it's not by works of righteousness which WE have done, but it's by faith in Him and His sacrifice for you by faith, or nothing.
Please don't let this discourage you, though.
Some ppl think this is a one-time decision, and that God is shutting the person out, but that's not necessarily the case.
Of course, it's not good to harden our heart, and the bible even talks about God hardening ppl's hearts that are just determined they want no parts of His grace, mercy, and love.
But God tells us to forgive 70×7...unlimited, and certainly He is willing to do the same for anyone that turns from their own self-righteousness or trying to find a way other than by Jesus, and turns to Him by faith alone.
He's a loving and forgiving God and Father, the Good Shepherd, our Savior, and anyone who comes to Him by faith He will not cast out.
* * *
Because they refuse to receive His Gift by FAITH,
and want to climb in some other way.
While we were still in our sins, Christ died for us.
He didn't demand our obedience or good-works,
as if the human race could or would clean itself up first.
No. While the whole human race was right smack in the middle of all our sins, He stepped into our world, went to the cross, and died for us.
What amazing love, how can it be?
That Thou, my God, would die for me?!!!