From before our birth our sin has created a break between us and God. That has tipped the scales WAY out of our favor.
Yes, Jesus did die for our sins and God forgave ALL our sins at the time of His crucifixion. But that only puts us even. NOBODY is saved only because their sins are forgiven. We have to have righteousness for the scales to tip right - in our favor and save us.
Regardless of how we try our works will not do us any good. Those works include - baptism, being born into a "Christian" family, giving to the needy, communion, stop drinking, stop sinning or anything else that anyone or any denomination tells you needs to be done to be saved. The scale will not tip in our favor one iota.
Because of our trust in what HE did on the cross for our salvation, and not on our own works, His righteousness is imputed to us! Then God will declare that we are Justified!