Why is the condition of faith emphasized in salvation?

Faith is crucial in salvation as it acts as the instrument through which the grace of God is received. According to Romans 10:17, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. The act of believing is not a work in itself but a response to the grace that has been given. Ephesians 2:8-9 further supports this by highlighting that we are saved by grace through faith, affirming that it is God's gift, preventing us from boasting about our own abilities. Thus, faith is not a condition of our salvation but the God-given response to the gospel.