How do we know faith alone is essential for salvation?

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.' This emphasizes that faith alone, apart from works, is the means by which we receive salvation. The message in Mark 5 illustrates this as well; Jairus was instructed to 'only believe,' highlighting that adding personal merit or efforts to faith detracts from the grace of God in salvation. This truth is foundational for understanding the sovereignty of God in the salvation of His people.