GRACE! SO NEEDED. SO MISUNDERSTOOD.

The Bible speaks often of grace. It is God bestowing favor on us without us doing anything to earn it. Grace cannot be bought, bargained for or earned. Neither should it be taken for granted or abused. "Shall we 'abide' in sin that grace may abound? God forbid..."---Apostle Paul. Nevertheless a man cannot serve God and fellowship with him without a steadily receiving his grace.

For mankind the true opposite of grace is pride. He reasons in his own estimation that some how his morals have earned God's favor. It has not!
God's favor is given to us only because of the sacrificial death on the cross of Jesus Christ. Any morality or righteousness we may accomplish is not a means of earning God's grace but a result of swimming in God's grace. Grace is so abundant and yet so elusive to mankind because his pride warps his perception of it.

God has angels who worship him without ever personally experiencing grace. Many men think they are here to be as righteous as the angels in their works. They cannot because on this side of heaven the sin nature is ever present. Others live in willful sin with an ungrateful attitude toward God's gift of grace even as HE continues to extend grace to them in their rebellion. The one trying so nobly to walk in fellowship looks upon the carnal Christian with the mistaken idea that they themselves are more deserving of God's grace, In the process they judge God who makes his rain the fall on the just and unjust. Unwittingly this judgmental fellow trying so hard is receiving the very grace he despises in others as he is sinning by judging the goodness of God!

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.---Apostle Paul

Paul got it right. Why are we created? Why did God allow us to inherit the sin of Adam. The angels and men will forever more be in awe not at our self imposed righteousness or even for our great reward for genuine faithfulness. OH NO!! The great attribute demonstrated in man that will ever amaze the heavens is GOD'S GRACE TO MAN!
Ephesians 6:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND!