The following succinct bit of wisdom is from Day By Day Grace by Bob Hoekstra:
Many Christians do not characteristically live by receiving God’s grace. Many attempt to live victoriously by merely doing the best that they can by their own human resources. They hope to achieve victory step by step. This will always prove inadequate, because victory must be received from the Lord. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
“Give and receive” is the language of grace (which depends upon the work of God). “Earn and achieve” is the language of law (which depends upon the work of man).