What is the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace?

The distinction between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace lies in their conditions and outcomes. The covenant of works, initiated with Adam in the garden, required perfect obedience to the law, with salvation contingent upon fulfilling that requirement. Adam's failure introduced death into the world. Conversely, the covenant of grace is established by God's promise to redeem His people through faith in Jesus Christ. In this covenant, our salvation is not earned by our actions but is a free gift of God's grace, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9. This profound difference underlines the heart of Christian faith, where believers are invited to rest in the assurance of what Christ accomplished for them rather than their works.