Glad you want the straight truth. The truth is that it is NOT simple by any means. It's a very complex system that Jesus has set into place to get you to the point of repentence and it involves all three members of the Godhead. Once saved and as you are being changed (what the Bible calls sanctification) is also a complex system. All three members of the Godhead work intricately and over-time on you to save you in more ways than just eternal life - they transform you!
But as for your part in being saved it is much smaller. and when you repent Jesus really does forgive you totally and completely!! That may look simple but He had to put the plan in place before the foundation of the world, then prophesy it and deliver that prophecy to his people for thousands of years, then come and live a perfect life and die an agonizing death for you - so NOT imple on His part LOL very very strategic, intelligent, and complex. He is amazing!!
What happens is the Holy Spirit speaks to you and leads you to Christ. He gets you to that point where you realize you need a savior. He is always talking to us, but few of us come right away. Apparently it took you years to respond and you feel guilty for that. But you are forgiven through Christs blood once you accept his forgiveness. Ok so once you are forgiven guess what happens? You are connected to the vine. Your actions start to change. This is a natural process of being connected to the vine (Jesus) the Holy Spirit is at work again the minute you accept Christ. so no one who accepts Christ will have no fruit - it's impossible! If you accept Him His Spirit changes more than your actions - He changes your thoughts, motives, and desires. These are what change your actions. Since desires and actions are so linked the fruit is produced.
There are people who say they accept Christ but produce no fruit. This can be done. What is happening is they arent actually connected to the vine but they claim to be. It's basically just faking. You will know if this is you by looking at your fruit. The mind counts! Do you think different thoughts since you came to Christ? Do you have a different perspective that takes into account His ways and His plan? Do you have new desires? These wont be perfect desires. They may simply be small steps. Such as a desire not to get angry so fast at people. Mixed in with the new good desires the Holy Spirit is forming will also be the bad desires. No one is perfect. So bad desires doesn't indicate you are lost. But your life should start moving in the right direction.
I know people who are as hard-hearted, proud and selfish now as they were thirty years ago. They are likely - though I cant say for sure as only God knows the heart - not saved. Because as I said those who remain in the vine always produce fruit. It's not something you do, it's something Christ does in you naturally. You simply learn of him and grow in your mind and heart and then your actions will change. Don't resist change and you'll know you are saved. Of course, you can resist some things as we arent perfect but the general direction of your life will be moving in a gradual upward direction if you are saved. You will become more like Christ.
Your works DONT get you into heaven. But you can't fully accept Christ's sacrifice and NOT change. It's a natural result of accepting Him.
Read John 15. All this is in there