The BARTER SYSTEM

An observation  …  that the opponents of  GRACE  seem to come from within the religious system,  not from ordinary people !   Most ordinary people easily recognise Grace in a flash, and understand it –  thats why so many were attracted to Jesus wherever He went, I would say.
But in this day, as then, religiosity turns believers into legalists and Pharisees.
Moses brought 10 commandments, but by the time Jesus arrived, the Phariees had added a few – they had over 600 commandments, ordinances, traditions and interpretations, and that is where they found fault with him –  in ceremonial washing, 'working' on the Sabbath, etc.
So, religious legalists, then and now,  are the greatest opponents of  Grace
Just observe the elder son after the prodigal returned home Luke 15:28
for a religious legalist who got angry and 'would NOT go in' to the homecoming party.  Not much has changed since that story time !

One simple fact becomes more evident as time passes - the natural man receives NOT the things of the Spirit of God, they are foolishness to him 1 Corinthians 2:15
Jesus simple and straightforward statement says -  we MUST be born again    John 3 : 3-7 good deeds, bad deeds,, hell, funerals
Nicodemus, though a learned religious man needed to hear this, while tax collectors and prostitutes came to Jesus and were received, touched and blessed.    We dont read of Him telling any of them of their need to be born again  -  they were only to aware of their condition !   But a Pharisee needed to hear it !
Jesus came to fulfill –  complete, do away with, bring to an end -  and finish the Law and its ordinances, religious traditions, the BARTER SYSTEM  and self works.

I well recall thinking as a teenager, that God must keep score of our lives.
And if my GOOD DEEDS  outweighed my BAD DEEDS ...  then Heaven
Otherwise it would be Hell for me !
And chatting to others I found that this was very common thinking.
It even arises at some funerals  -  the BARTER system mentality is still alive and well  in this day and age
But, to my observation, many believers continue on with the BARTER System mentality in their daily lives of service :
I am serving  God  - so bless me
I have been good  -  so bless me
Yes there is blessing from a good and kind Master / God, but its not on the Barter system basis at all.   We tend to forget that the rain falls on the just and unjust alike,      NO-ONE is immune from trouble or tribulation – just ask Job,  or King David,  or John the Baptist,  or Saul / Paul,  or Corrie Ten Boom …  or your next door neighbour !

God loves us, NOT because of what we are, but because of what He is.
God loves us, NOT because we are lovable, but because its His nature to love 

Promises abound  YES      there is  Gods  GRACE and FAVOUR   
but  My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 1 Corinthians 12:9 

By observation, it appears that considerable confusion  exists in many believers minds between the the gift of Grace and our subsequent 'works' which will bring  REWARDS   1 Corinthians 3:14
A good summary of these is Scofield's Page 1214  ...
God, in the New Testament, offers to the lost - salvation, and, for the faithful service of the saved - rewards.   The passages are easily distinguished by remembering that salvation. is invariably spoken of as a free gift (e.g. John 4:10; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2.8,9)   while rewards are earned by works (Mt 1O:42;  Lk. 19:17;  1 Cor. 9: 24, 25;  2 Tim. 4:7,8;  Rev. 2.:10; 22.:12 ). 
A further distinction is that salvation is a present possession (Lk. 7:50;  John.3:36; 5:24; 6:47 )   while rewards are a future attainment. to be given at the coming of the Lord  (Mt. 16:27;   2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 22:12 )

Any works –  even religious works, THAT PRECEDE  FAITH  which anyone does, are of self-righteousness and as filthy rags in Gods sight  Isaiah 64:6

So  …  BEWARE   the   BARTER SYSTEM    mentality 
It and the Law are  fulfilled,  finished,  completed.   surpassed
GRACE  &  TRUTH   came  by  JESUS  alone   John 1:12

Believers  are merely   DISPENSERS    of  that  G R A C E