Why is reliance on Christ essential for salvation?

In Reformed theology, reliance on Christ is fundamental because we acknowledge our utter inability to save ourselves due to sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Our justification before God relies entirely on the righteousness of Christ, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21, where Paul tells us that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. This complete dependence on Christ frees us from the burden of self-justification and allows us to rest in the assurance that His work is sufficient for our salvation.