Why is it important that salvation is by faith and not by works?

The principle that salvation is by faith and not by works is crucial to the tenets of sovereign grace. Romans 3:27 states, 'Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.' This indicates that if salvation were based on human merit or works, individuals could take pride in their accomplishments. However, salvation being solely by faith means that all glory is directed toward God and His grace. This ensures that our understanding of salvation recognizes it as a gift, highlighting God’s mercy and love rather than human achievement. Furthermore, Hebrews 11 illustrates that the heroes of faith acted not out of their own righteousness but through their trust in God's promises, demonstrating that it is by faith that we receive God's righteousness, not by works of the law.