How can we explain grace to someone who feels they must earn salvation?

Explaining grace to someone who believes they must earn salvation can be effectively done through the concepts of unmerited favor and total reliance on Christ. Grace is fundamentally a gift from God that is not earned or deserved (Ephesians 2:8-9). It showcases God's love and mercy, where He extends forgiveness and salvation to sinners despite their unworthiness. Using examples from Scripture, such as the parable of the prodigal son or the thief on the cross, can illustrate that salvation comes through faith in Christ and not through human effort. Emphasizing the heart of the Gospel message—that Christ accomplished everything needed for our salvation—helps to redirect their understanding from works to faith in Him alone.