What role does grace play in salvation according to Reformed theology?

In Reformed theology, grace is foundational to the understanding of salvation, emphasizing that it is entirely God's unmerited favor that brings about redemption. This theological framework asserts that salvation cannot be achieved through human works or decision-making but is a result of God's sovereign grace, as illustrated in Romans 9:16, which states that it is not of him that willeth or runneth, but of God that shows mercy. The doctrine highlights that Christ's sacrifice satisfied divine justice and secured salvation for His people, emphasizing that faith itself is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Hence, grace undergirds all aspects of salvation, assuring believers that their standing before God rests entirely upon Christ’s righteousness and not their own merits, fostering profound humility and reliance on God.