It cannot mean salvation for salvation is a free gift and it can't be got any other way than to receive it as a free gift.
Discipleship is a different kettle of fish. That is costly, that is entering into the life of the Spirit, learning to manifest the life of Christ in the soul ... for that we must strive.
Salvation free but not easy, only few get that free gift, to get it require Matt 7:21. (Do the will of the Father.
Matt 7
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 7
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
In Matt 25 Jesus warn and remind us, a lot of people think they are save but aren't.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Verse 44 indicate people think they are go to heaven, they think they have faith in Jesus, but Jesus say no.
Remind me James 2
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Salvation by faith alone, it is biblical, but don't forget bible teach correlation faith and loving work.
Faith in Jesus to the point of inviting Jesus to our heart and Jesus in our heart will bear love make us like Him, helping the poor as discribe in Matt 25 and James 2
If a man say
1 John 4:20
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
If a man say love god but not love other he is liar, mean he isn't love god. Or hate god Don't expect we going to save if we hate god.
Matt 25 is not say salvation by work, but it indicate loving work is by product of salvation.