I think part of the problem is that we view Christianity as a consumer economy. Goods are provided (services, salvation, benefits). We consume God’s good things and then we speak of how these things are given to us free. And we end up denying anything that smacks of “works” (that’s the Reformed theology speaking).

But the Bible never denigrated actions (see the book of James or the Sermon on the Mount).

Christianity isn’t an economic theory or a consumeristic philosophy.

Christianity is a way of life (the earliest description of it was “the Way”). Discipleship is apprenticeship to Jesus--to become like him--to view him as our Rabbi--in a very traditional Rabbinical sense.

“Why do you go so often to your Rabbi’s home?” a Hasidic Jew was once asked.

“To see how he ties his shoes,” was the response. His goal was to become just like his rabbi.