Paul explains that salvation comes entirely by grace through faith, not by human effort.
for by______ you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
— Micah 6:8 (NIV)