Notice the order

A reading of Genesis 6 gives us a look into God's relationship with Noah.

First, Noah finds favor (grace) in God.  This is God's initiative, nothing Noah strived for or invented.  Because of this, Noah is righteous and blameless. 

Notice, too, that Genesis 6:8 is the first mention of grace in the Bible, and it has to do with God establishing a relationship with man.

Second, Noah walked in habitual fellowship with God.  They had a relationship.

When was the last time you put on your most comfortable shoes and took a stroll with God?

Third, Noah obeyed God.  He built the ark, collected the animals.  Noah fulfilled God's great task for him, what some of us may call life purpose.

Notice the order.  A lot of us try to do it in reverse.  We try to be obedient in order to have a relationship in order to get grace.  It sounds like a lot of religion.  That's not how God worked in the life of Noah.  Let's get the order right.