Why is having faith in Jesus essential for Christians?

For Christians, faith in Jesus is fundamental as it is through Him that we receive forgiveness of sins and the righteousness necessary to be accepted by God. The Gospel assures us that our own works cannot save us; rather, it is through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection that we find hope and eternal life. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, 'For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.' This underscores the importance of relying solely on Jesus rather than on our own merits.