I am so humbled by God's mercy and grace that he looked beyond all my faults and saw my need, like the song says. How can someone hope to stand before God with the filthy rags of their own goodness and merit and expect him to favor that over the simple child-like faith in Jesus as their Savior? "Oh, NO! That's "easy believism.", they say. How to get through to them that it is because of God's undeserved mercy, his unfathomable grace that we are not consumed?
I will not throw his grace back in his face and say, "No thanks, I'll do it my way.". I will fall upon his mercy seat with the blood of Jesus Christ washed all over every inch of me and proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.". For I was lost and now am found. I was without hope and I have been given glory by his amazing grace!
If we can earn it, it’s not mercy.
If we can work off the penalty, there’s been no forgiveness, but rather the payment of a debt.
The thief on the cross next to Christ had no opportunity at all for any works....yet Christ said he'd be with Him that very day.