What is the role of grace in salvation?

Grace is a fundamental concept within Christian salvation, understood as the unearned and free favor of God toward sinners. John Newton emphasizes that salvation is entirely a work of God, rooted in His grace alone, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9, which declares, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.' This reinforces that no human effort can earn salvation; it is a divine gift bestowed on the utterly undeserving. Reformed theology teaches that grace not only secures justification but also empowers believers for sanctification, enabling them to live in accordance with God’s will. The acknowledgment of grace leads to humble reliance on God rather than self, driving the believer to a deeper love for Christ and his commandments.