What is the role of faith in salvation according to the Bible?

The Bible teaches that faith is the means by which we are justified before God. In Romans 3:22, it states, 'even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.' This depicts faith not as a work but as a receiving of what has already been accomplished through Christ. Furthermore, Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that we are saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves. This underscores that faith is a gift from God, enabling us to trust in Christ alone for our salvation, thus affirming the historic Reformed understanding that salvation is entirely of grace and not by human effort.