Saved By Grace
(Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Grace is "unmerited favor", it is not something that you earn. You are saved by grace and it is not because of anything you do or merit. Your salvation is NOT based on your performance or works of any kind.
Saved by grace means that God is doing you a favor and He is disregarding what you deserve or merit. This means that God is giving you what you do NOT deserve and/or could NOT merit.
Saved by grace means that you can do no performance good enough to earn it. God, the giver of grace, is dealing with you solely on the basis of love and mercy. Salvation is a gift of God.
(Romans 11:6 KJV) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Grace is the opposite of works. The two cannot be mixed together in any way. Even the tiniest amount of works destroys grace. Whenever works are involved then it can be said that it is no longer grace. It is 100% grace or 100% works, no mixture of the two is allowed; it is always one or the other.
(Romans 4:4-5 KJV) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
If you have to work for your salvation, then it would be considered a reward, something that is merited, earned or something that is owed to you. In other words, if you have to work for salvation then that would make God indebted to you; God would owe you salvation in return.
If you receive something by grace, it is given to you as a free gift, you do nothing to earn it. This is the exact opposite of a reward.
Salvation is "by grace" and absolutely no works are involved in obtaining or maintaining one's salvation, for even the slightest amount of works makes it no more grace.
Although, salvation is by grace you need faith to receive God's gift. Faith is not a work. Faith concerns the placing of trust, confidence or reliance in someone else and their works, instead of depending on your own works to save you.
For by grace are you saved through faith means that you place your trust, confidence and reliance on what God has given to you because Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again on the third day.
Faith is the only thing that will not insult God, who is being gracious to you, faith will never destroy grace.