Why is grace important in salvation?

Grace is fundamental to the Christian understanding of salvation as it exemplifies God's unearned favor extended towards sinners. Galatians 1:15-16 shows that God saves those whom it pleases Him to call by His grace, completely apart from any human deeds. Ephesians 2:8 reinforces this by declaring, 'For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.' This demonstrates that salvation is God-initiated and maintained by His grace, removing any grounds for boasting on the part of humanity.