How do we know grace is important for Christians?

Grace, defined as unmerited favor, is essential for Christians because it underscores the reality that we are saved not by our own efforts but through God's mercy. The message of 1 Peter 2:8 speaks of Christ as a stone of stumbling for many, illustrating that without God's grace, we cannot come to faith. It is this divine grace that truly shows us the depth of our sin and the height of God's love, ultimately leading to salvation. In Ephesians 2:8-9, we learn that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, a reminder that our salvation and reliance on grace must lead us to a life of grateful obedience to God.