How do we know that faith is crucial for salvation?

The Bible consistently emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 proclaims, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.' This passage underscores that faith is the means through which we receive God's grace and salvation. It is our trust in Christ's finished work on the cross and His resurrection that secures our justification before God. As sinners, we can do nothing to earn our salvation; it is entirely a gift from God received through faith.