For God so loved the world...(John 3:16)
I hear the word grace used a lot, if grace alone saved should not all be saved. Grace withheld to some is no grace at all.
good question,the answer lies in sincerity and humbleness,and accepting Jesus not just merely "claiming him" that's why it took me so long to come to God wholly,because it's not just as simple as...yeah sure I believe in Jesus so I'm saved" you have to in effect "accept everything" that Jesus did for us and particularly your own self,and be "willing to serve God" not just use his son as a shield,that's why being saved "is a knowing thing" because it changes "everything" your thoughts,your habits,your living situation,your values,because once you accept the holy spirit you feel "a change" that you want to serve God and appreciate his son's sacrifice,you no longer seek tons of things for yourself you starr "appreciating all you have" and in time you put God's will above your own,it's not "easy" but since when did God ever ask anyone to do something "easy"?
For example the scripture "to be a friend of the world is to be at enmity(war) with God"this scripture implies that you have to be "willing"to forsake(give up) worldly things,such as cursing,addiction,great wealth,lust,greed,hatred,this doesn't mean that you necessarily will give up these things but the point is that you are willing to give up things that may make you happy for the sake of pleasing God,it's not some fairy tale where you get everything and don't give up anything,God isn't like that,you must strive to uphold that which is right in God's eyes,and be an example to others,and he doesn't let you off easy.
You can't be idle/lazy in God's service because he'll chasten you when you do and eventually you will do what he calls you to do no matter how much a person tries to stall.
Whole faith in Jesus saves but it doesn't mean we become lazy in fact it means just the opposite,God lights a fire under us so to speak when we are supposed to be doing something for him and we don't for a time,being saved is basically a lifetime binding oath to God that you get eternal life and "must serve God" there is no "turning back" for no one not man,beast,devil,or demon can remove you from God's hand once in his hand.