Zealous for Good Works

It has always intrigued me that Paul writes that Jesus didn't just die to redeem us from sin or merely to save us from hell (although both are true). He also "gave himself for us" to make us "a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14). This makes me wonder, when I consider the spiritual apathy that is common in our churches, if we have a low, non-scriptural view of what salvation really is.
Consider how J.C. Ryle describes the spiritually zealous person: He only sees one thing. He cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God. Whether he lives, or whether he dies,--whether he has health, or whether he has sickness,--whether he is rich, or whether he is poor,--whether he pleases man, or whether he gives offense,--whether he is thought wise, or whether he is thought foolish,--whether he gives blame, or whether he gets praise,--whether he gets honor, or whether he gets shame,--for all this the zealous man cares nothing at all. He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please God, and to advance God's glory....Such an one will always find a sphere for his zeal. If he cannot preach, and work, and give money, he will cry, and sigh, and pray (J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, 185).

Is this an overstatement? Not according to the Apostle Paul (Titus 2:14).