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Urgent Grace

I'm puzzled by the phrases in 2 Corinthians 6:1 and 2 which say, "As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says... "now is the day of salvation". The reason I puzzle with these phrases is that they seem as urgent now as when Paul spoke, or wrote, them, but what did he mean? How does one receive God's grace in vain? What is grace? How do we receive any grace from God? And isn't God's grace a gift? 

You may know the classic and simple definition of grace as, "unmerited favor". We get what we don't deserve. That being God's salvation from the penalty of our sins. So, God, in grace chooses to save some. If you are a believer in Christ and his cross work then it is because God's saving grace has been demonstrated in you. I say this because believing in Christ as Savior doesn't come naturally. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit. 

God's grace brings understanding to an unregenerate mind. It opens blind spiritual eyes. It makes the nonsensical sensible because it brings salvation to the unworthy. 

So, this brings me back to my initial conundrum, how can one receive the grace of God in vain and why is it so urgent, since it is all God's work? 
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