How do we know that faith in Jesus is essential for salvation?

Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 emphasize that salvation is not a result of our works, but rather a gift from God through faith. This is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice is the only means by which we are reconciled to God. In Matthew 25, while acts of kindness are mentioned, they are evidence of faith, not the basis for salvation. The righteous will be shocked to hear of their good works, showcasing that those actions flow from a heart transformed by the gospel rather than being the source of their justification.