What does the Bible say about true saving faith?

The Bible emphasizes that true saving faith is not just intellectual assent but is characterized by a deep trust and reliance on the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul speaks of being saved and called not according to our works, but His purpose and grace, which were given before the foundation of the world. This aligns with the historic Reformed view that saving faith is a gift from God, whereby we know and trust in what Christ has accomplished for us through His death and resurrection. Real sinners cherish the gospel as the 'great sign' that reveals God's character and His commitment to save His people. Furthermore, this is validated by Ephesians 2, where Paul writes that we are made alive in Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses.