GRACE IS OUR LOT

 But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 11:6 (AMPC)

If salvation is based on our merits, we cannot help but fall into despair. Our striving is incapable of achieving purity in this world. If our faith in forgiveness is based on our own godliness, we will lose the battle against our sins. If grace were based on our own merits, it would not be grace at all. It would be pure bargaining; self-improvement, personal victories, overcoming committed sins. Why would we need Jesus and the atonement of sins anymore? When we stop hunting for merit and agree to be forgiven, grace is our lot, by grace.