What does the Bible say about grace reigning through righteousness?

Romans 5:21 states, 'that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.' This verse encapsulates the essence of salvation, emphasizing that without Christ, grace would not have the power to save. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it is through the righteousness of Christ that grace has the authority to give eternal life to those who believe. This indicates that our standing before God is not based on our merits but solely on Christ’s righteousness credited to us.