I also like knowing that I've taken the 'first step' to getting into Heaven, but I would rather God be happy with me than me be happy with God if that makes sense.

How do you explain this quote?

"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone."

(caps courtesy of New American Standard Bible, I didn't add that in)

Abraham here is called a friend to God, and this is because he combined faith with works. I don't pretend I can ever get the same status as Abraham, but I would kinda like to be a friend to God too. Abraham was given an enormous trial, one with a purpose, and because he both believed and did, God rewarded him.

And this quote?

"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."

I mean, it kinda sounds like we're supposed to be working towards pleasing God, to always obey God, rather than shift the future judgement to a past justification.

When I was pseudo-Christian, I was taught of the broad way and the narrow way. The narrow way leads to life, and the broad to death. To me, saying that once you accept Jesus and now you can do anything seems... like saying once you accept Jesus you are now free to walk the broad way, because you've already pleased God enough, instead of continuing on the narrow way to continually please. You know?