Why is faith important in the context of salvation?

Faith is central to salvation because it is not a work we perform, but a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 underscores that by grace we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. This understanding aligns with what John describes in 1 John 2, where he emphasizes the necessity of knowing Christ and receiving Him as the ground for assurance. Therefore, true faith involves trusting in Christ alone for our standing before God, acknowledging that our salvation is by grace, not works.