What does the Bible say about the necessity of God's grace for salvation?

The Scriptures declare that by nature, all humans are hostile to God and cannot accept His truth unless their rebellious hearts are transformed by divine grace. Ephesians 2:1-5 emphasizes that we are dead in our trespasses and sins and can only be made alive through God's rich mercy and love. The transformation of the heart is vital for salvation, as it is only through the intervention of the Holy Spirit that one can be persuaded of the truth concerning Jesus. Salvation is an act of God's grace from start to finish, with no contribution from human will or effort.