Why is faith important in connection with grace?

Faith plays a critical role in salvation as it is through faith that we lay hold of God's grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 informs us that we are saved by grace through faith; this means that our belief in Christ is the instrument by which we receive the gift of salvation. The Reformed faith teaches that this saving faith is also a gift from God, emphasizing its divine origin. Thus, faith is not a work that contributes to our salvation, but a response to the grace already given to us, allowing us to fully embrace the salvation that Christ offers.