Grace is a gift, not a wage
Paul never tires of saying it: you cannot earn what God freely gives.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV)
A gift cannot be earned
The moment a gift is paid for, it stops being a gift. Paul's word for grace, charis, means favour that is unmerited and freely given. It levels every human achievement and leaves everyone standing on the same ground.
Why the timing matters
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, KJV)
God did not wait for us to improve first. He moved first, and he moved without conditions.
Where to go next
Read the seven teachings on the home page, then sit with Romans 5 and Ephesians 2 for a week.