How do we know that salvation is not based on our own works?

Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is a gift of grace, revealing that our faith itself is not of ourselves but a gift from God. The notion that works can earn salvation leads to self-righteousness, as highlighted in the sermon when illustrating that 'nothing man can do at any time can make us worthy of going to heaven.' Additionally, the reference to Lazarus illustrates the deadness of man in sin; we cannot come to Christ on our own accord, but it is God's sovereign grace that quickens us to faith. This underscores that our works are a fruit of grace, not a means to salvation.