Righteousness

Here's a quote from P.G. Mathew in Muscular Christianity concerning Noah's righteousness (Hebrews 11:7).  I so like to earn things, but righteousness in the eyes of God is one thing that is neither earned nor deserved!

Genesis 6:8 told us that "Noah found favor [grace] in the eyes of the LORD."  All are born sinners and practice sin, and Noah was no exception.  But Noah found grace and it was the basis for his righteousness.  Noah was not justified by his obedient work of building the ark.  He was saved by grace--unmerited favor.  He, like us, merited hell and eternal death, but God freely gave him heaven and eternal life.  That is what grace is all about.