I don't have to work to grow in Christ. I do read the Bible daily and I pray occasionally but I don't do devotions... does God love you more than me? Are you more approved to God than me? The questions are rhetorical, I don't think you think those things. You're caught in the trap of "I'm saved by grace now let me see what work I can to do to please God". It doesn't work that way. I've entered the Sabbath rest, the promised land, I don't work anymore!
As for the NIV preaching works, it does and it has deceived you. See your comment in red above.
"Do YOUR best to present YOURSELF to God as one APPROVED". That says nothing but works, make yourself better to earn God's approval THEN you can be a worker if you're approved by God. One little change in the wording and the meaning of the verse is completely changed.... And this is exactly the way you understood the verse from the NIV - work for approval. See your comment in red above.
2 Timothy 2:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Notice the difference in the KJV. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God AS A WORKMAN". No works to be approved by God. Studying the word to prove to God that you are a workman that shouldn't be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth... No works!
2 Timothy 2:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
First, I am not deceived at all, again I do the works because of what Jesus has done in my life and not to earn salvation (you seem to have a problem with my explanation even though I have made it clear). My works do not save me, the mercy and grace offered by Jesus Christ which I have accepted have saved me not my works. Now, since I have made it clear again, you do have to do work to grow in Christ, again it does not save you but helps you to grow. I don't see a work as a bad thing, after all God gave Adam a job in Genesis. God loves you, the same as he loves me, why do you feel I am judging you? I am trying to lovingly correct a misconception you have about the NIV and what the Greek is conveying and not trying to tear you down. I am not caught in the trap, you say I am caught in. I want to grow in my Christian faith like a child grows to be an adult. When I say I do devotions it involves reading the Bible and praying (which Jesus did not do occasionally but a lot, as seen in the gospels where he would go to an isolated space and pour his heart to God the Father in prayer). Also, when you read any verse in the Bible, cross reference it with other verses to make sure you are understanding what it is saying, instead of putting your spin on it, which is what you are doing with that verse. I am not more approved to God than you, since I have accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and sovereign Lord, I have been approved by God. Due to that I want to please Jesus in what ever I say and do to bring honor and glory to the name of the Lord. Now, to the verses I was alluding to.
Philippians 2:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Genesis 2:15
New International Version (NIV)
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Matthew 7:21
New International Version (NIV)
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Work is not a curse. I rest in God and what he has done for me. Also, I am just learning the differences in the new NIV, but they do not cause me problems, I have the NIV 1984 version. God bless.