I have become determined in my theological structure to state that there is no room for individualism. By individualism I mean any personal effort thought to contribute in one way or another to God's acts of redemption.
I need to say this clearly: this does not mean that the human being does not have an obligation to to work. Rather, our work performs no salvific function. We do not work to earn salvation; we work because we are saved.
This is a covenantal thing. God relates to humanity covenantally. This distinction is, to be certain, a dense one but there are a couple points of reference: God initiates the covenant, claiming a people for His own. People enter this covenant community in baptism, formerly circumcision. Part and parcel to the covenant are promises of either blessing or curse dependent upon obedience to covenant obligations, i.e. commandments.
If there is a place for effort it can only be in the mandate to love one another. We have been commanded to a certain ethic and lifestyle characterized by love and faithfulness. Understanding that we are deeply connected to God in covenant is how we can recognize that our relationship with God is dynamic and we do have to do works. But these works are a matter of covenant obedience and faithfulness, they do not earn us anything.
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