We are not forgiven because we are "good" but because we repent. That's why "penance" became such a distorted issue in Luther's time, and why Purgatory is something no one ever mentioned before it was invented as a heavenly "jail" where you do "time" being roasted to God's "satisfaction".
God's laws are inscribed in our hearts; not in stone. Our relationship with God is personal and spiritual, not legal. Once you fall in love with God, it is irresistible. That is a much stronger bond than any law can establish.
Love means acceptance (unconditional in this case), not legal obedience. If you love someone you are not legally bound to that person, but spiritually.
That law established obedience to God, not love for God. We are not saved because we obey but be cause we believe. That is the fundamental difference.
Okay, let me try this one more time. I'll use Paul's example:
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Okay, Paul starts off by telling us that love fulfills God's law. But how?
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Ah...these commandments are summed up in the phrase "love thy neighbor as yourself".
But HOW?
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.
Ah ha! If you love your neighbor as yourself your thoughts and attitudes ARE going to conform to this. You don't have to try to conform to the written law. YOU will do it as easily as breathing.
It's not "legalism" when your love is so great that it causes you to live a righteous life. It's obedience to the law of love. It's letting the love of Christ live in and through you.
If you don't love your fellow man then your thoughts and attitudes are NOT going to conform to the written law.
The ten commandments ARE the written definition of love.
Understand where I'm coming from?