What does the Bible say about grace in relation to faith?

In the context of Zacharias and Elizabeth, grace is emphasized as they were deemed righteous by God not through their works, but by the transformative work of grace in their hearts. The New Testament teaches that faith is a gift given by God, a result of the new birth that comes from His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Righteousness before God can only be attained through Christ's righteousness, which is imputed to believers, and this highlights the necessity of grace for salvation. Grace, therefore, precedes faith, enabling the believer to have trust in God's promises and His Word.