Faith being not of works means that salvation cannot be earned or merited, but is solely a gift from God.
In the context of sovereign grace theology, the assertion that faith is not of works emphasizes that human efforts cannot contribute to one's salvation. In Romans 4:4, Paul clarifies, 'Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.' This indicates that if salvation could be earned through works, it would no longer be grace. Faith is seen as a divine enablement that allows a believer to accept God’s promise and covenant, which is not based on any merit of their own. This principle is foundational to the Reformed understanding of salvation, which holds that it is wholly the work of God from start to finish.
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