Hi Vince...
My personal take on this is that all that is required is faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 4:3, Romans 4:6).
This is qualified by the statement that our faith must be a living faith (accompanied by works); (while works do not save).
Salvation is assured to those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth for salvation (Romans 10:13, Acts of the Apostles 4:10-12); and this will effect a change in nature, behaviour, and character that is visible to man. Before man, we are justified by the transformation and how that works itself out in our lives by our behaviour. Before God, we are justified by the faith that brings about the transformation. Either way, we are not justified apart from the transformation. But we cannot transform ourselves; that comes about through faith alone in Jesus Christ, and what He did for us on the Cross. Being forgiven much, we will also love much (Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:5). So the key might be to understand (experientially) the forgiveness that comes through believing in the finished work of Calvary's Cross. Love in the Bible is not in word or in tongue only, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18). It is the fulfilling of the righteousness of the law within us (Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6, Romans 8:4).
I put it like this: If I give $5 to the poor, or even $5,000,000, that is not going to bring about the change of nature and character that we identify as salvation. The only thing that can bring about this change is faith in Jesus. Once the transformation is effected, however, I am more likely to give money (whatever the amount) to the poor; because my faith in Jesus means that His love is shed abroad in my heart and this = compassion for the poor. So it is not that I am saved by my works. It is that I am saved by my faith that produces works. You may think that this is a fine line and that I am simply mincing words, that it all amounts to the same thing. But I would say that the root of our behaviour is important. If I am doing good works because I think they will make me acceptable before God, then I am acting with an employee/employer relationship. I am seeking wages for services rendered. In God's economy, He will not owe any man anything (see Romans 4:4). He wants to give you salvation as a free gift (Romans 5:15-19) with no strings attached. Obedience is optional: God forgives you unconditionally on the basis of faith. His people shall be willing in the day of His power (Psalms 110:3). If you know that God gave you such a gift so freely, and really understand the nature of the gift, I believe that it will motivate you to serve Him. A key passage is Romans 4:1-8.