Salvation by grace

Some of you have probably given up on checking my blog because I have not posted anything in quite some time. However, I have been mulling though a particular subject that I have become very intrigued with.
The environment that I live in, I would consider to be a "Christian culture," meaning that social behavior and acceptance is based on a set of expected moral behavior. Most students abide well by these moral guidelines. In such circles, it is understood that by following a moral conduct the Christian life is portrayed . Yet I wonder how many of our students are blinded by their moral behavior that they have trained themselves into. Some have attained, by outward appearances, all of the necessary life-style practices that would indicate that they are Christians. However, I have seen in so many students a severe lack of conviction and love for the things of God. Here is often the story of such students: grew up in the church, learned to obey, said a prayer and now, convinced they are saved, have a false sense of security.
I have been studying Judaism and Islam, both religions where its followers are extremely devoted to their belief system and practice of life. So what is the difference between a moral Jew and a Christian? It is Christ, for He has regenerated the soul. This is why I had trouble understanding why Christians where so dead or apathetic towards the doctrines of grace. Could it be that they have never fully come to understand the significance of redemption in Christ?
Every student has seen the benefits of living a moral life style. Being kind to others, abstaining from substances that harm the body, and making friends with those of similar values (because bad company corrupts good morals.). All of these things are common sense, logical practices that promote a "good life." Next, using verses as happy pills, or gets me through the day mentality encourage positive thinking, which is also wholesome to the body. So I fail to see how Christian are different than any other moral based religion.
The other day I was sitting with a group of girls during small groups, one of the girls read a portion of a book from a secular author titled, The Question Behind the Question, the book's emphasis and purpose was to point out that people are not self sacrificing or feel any responsibility for meeting the needs of others. At the end of the reading one of the girls said that she was glad that the book was not written from a Christian perspective, because on campus so many people try to make everything about God, Jesus and the gospel. I sat there dumbfounded. Yes, it is true that there is a lack of love from people in the world and even the world recognizes that, and has their ways of overcoming the problem. But for a Christian, Christ is at the core of it all. He is the reason for our love of others, because God has first loved us. Even now I am amazed at what was said in that group. Why are we trying to take out Jesus? Christ is our life, our mediator. Yet we also know that faith without works is dead. It is by our spiritual fruit that others should recognize Christ in us. It is by the constant yearning of our hearts for the Word of God that affirms our salvation to our own souls. My heart is burdened for the ones who are deceiving themselves in following the law and have no love for the gospel of Christ.