How does faith relate to forgiveness of sins?

Faith plays a vital role in the experience of forgiveness, as individuals must believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice to be justified. However, it's crucial to understand that the power to wash away sins lies in the blood of Christ, not in the faith itself. Hebrews states that without the shedding of blood, there's no remission of sins. Therefore, while faith is necessary to receive forgiveness, it is the atoning blood that fundamentally provides the basis for it. This distinction preserves the essence of grace, identifying that salvation is God's work, initiated and completed through Christ.