No, they are not the same thing. It's the difference between Christ looking for works to see who has earned a place in the kingdom, and Him looking for works to see who has been gifted a place in the kingdom through the transforming power of his forgiveness. Here's an example:
47“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much...” (Luke 7:47 NASB)
Jesus is saying he can tell her sins are forgiven by the way she loves. This is how it will be on the Day of Judgment. Christ will use what we have done in our lives to see if we are forgiven as evidenced by our obedience displayed in our active love for Him.
34“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ " (Matthew 25:34-36 NASB)
See? That's how works are required in salvation without those works earning that salvation as most in the church instantly think works means in salvation.
47“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much...” (Luke 7:47 NASB)
Jesus is saying he can tell her sins are forgiven by the way she loves. This is how it will be on the Day of Judgment. Christ will use what we have done in our lives to see if we are forgiven as evidenced by our obedience displayed in our active love for Him.
34“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ " (Matthew 25:34-36 NASB)
See? That's how works are required in salvation without those works earning that salvation as most in the church instantly think works means in salvation.
you sound like you believe God has to learn something. but no, see here!
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Heb 4:13)
Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. (Ps 147:5)
and yes! we are to love.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. (1 Jn 3:18-20)
the Lord Jesus doesn't need to see if we have been forgiven. He is the One Who did it.