Faith is necessary for salvation as it is through faith that we receive the righteousness of Christ, which is the only means of being accepted by God.
Romans 10:13 states, 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' This highlights the necessity of faith. Believing in the success of Christ's work—and confessing Him as Lord—are both essential for salvation. Our faith must rest solely on Christ, as He alone fulfills the requirements of righteousness laid out in the law. The righteousness achieved through faith is the only righteousness that can save; all attempts to earn God's favor through works are futile. Faith essentially represents our total reliance on Jesus for salvation.
Scripture References:
Romans 10:13, Romans 3:19-20, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 6:44, John 3:5-6
Commentary