How do we know righteousness is important for salvation?

Righteousness is crucial for salvation as it defines our standing before God. Romans 8:10 states that the spirit is life because of righteousness. Our righteousness does not arise from our deeds but is the imputed righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Only Christ fulfilled the law completely and thus became our righteousness, enabling us to stand justified before God. This righteousness is given through faith, affirming that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).