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FK: "Well, actually we DO have to take CLEs (unless we have an exemption) in order to keep our licenses ............... There is a reasonable comparison to salvation here. The difference is in who is in charge of getting those credits turned in on time."

Not in your book, FK. :) In the Reformed theology the CLEs mean nothing! You get a "certificate" of salvation at the beginning, and from there on nothing you do or don't do will cause you to lose it.

Why is it that for your side nothing in the universe has any meaning unless it is directly tied to progressing one's salvation? It sure sounds to me like the only reason you would ever do a good deed is that you knew that it would have the effect of earning you more salvation points. But to us it is quite the contrary. While salvation is assured because of the finished work of Christ, obeying Him still does mean something good. It means pleasing Him. With my new heart I want to please God, even though I will be no more saved because of it. Does that sound so ridiculous to you all? :)

Why is it that for your side nothing in the universe has any meaning unless it is directly tied to progressing one's salvation?

Because salvation is becoming Christ-like, and it's a process; the only truly meaningful process there is.

It sure sounds to me like the only reason you would ever do a good deed is that you knew that it would have the effect of earning you more salvation points

That would be all the wrong reasons for doing good things. The more Christ-like we are, the more Christ-like our deeds become too. Our good deeds, in the name of the Lord, are simple reflections of our likeness to Christ.

Of course, you could always have Pharisaical individuals who do "good" things ti impress others or to create an illusion of holiness.

It means pleasing Him. With my new heart I want to please God, even though I will be no more saved because of it. Does that sound so ridiculous to you all?

It does because Christ never said He would give us a new heart; He says He would would heal our hearts. You are confusing Ezekiel with Christ.

We can't please God. Just as you can do nothing to "earn" your way to heaven, there is nothing you can do to "please" God. The more Christ-like we become the more we reflect are restored in our original state of creation (in the image and likeness of God). Holy people do holy things because they are holy. Being holy is not a duty but a state.