Why is grace fundamental to Christian belief?

Grace is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith, highlighting God's initiative in salvation. The covenant of grace, revealed in Jeremiah 31:31-34, proclaims that God freely gives salvation not based on human merit but through His love and mercy. Grace signifies that humans cannot earn their way to God through works; instead, they must rely on Christ’s righteousness and sacrificial death. This understanding transforms the believer’s relationship with God, emphasizing a shift from striving under the law to resting in the finished work of Christ.