What does the Bible say about the importance of grace in salvation?

In the context of Judges 9, the sermon highlights the insufficiency of human lineage and effort for salvation, as seen in the life of Abimelech. Regardless of his father Gideon's faith, Abimelech remained outside of God's grace, demonstrating that familial connections do not equate to spiritual standing. The biblical principle of grace emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not based on human merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). This reflects the cornerstone of sovereign grace theology, emphasizing the necessity of God’s grace for anyone to come to faith and be saved.