[the_conscience]

chicken or egg?: If I understand congruent merit correctly first comes the effort and then comes the grace.

That old Romanist saying: God helps those who help themselves.

[Mad Dawg]

I would say you are correct (IMHO) that the effort precedes a grace. It does not precede ALL the grace in the particular, what, transaction. Where does the effort come from? God always makes the first move, not only in the whole exchange but in each step.

I think we know this. Once we realize what sinners we are and then we catch some good deed happening in our vicinity, we eagerly say "I'm sure not responsible for that!"