Are we saved by Grace alone?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph.2:8- 9

Our salvation is a gracious gift of God. God gave us this gift when we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. No one can take this gift from us. It is irrevocable. You cannot earn your way into heaven. Works are not necessary. (see Ephesians 2:8-9) Having said that, you will notice many Christians who spend a lot of time doing "works." That is normal and natural byproduct of Christianity. The Holy Spirit residing in us moves us to do good works. In fact it is difficult not to do good works, considering God prepared them in advance for us to do (see Ephesians 2:10). We cannot earn salvation through works. When you really consider it, isn't it a bit silly to think we (us sinners) could do anything for a sinless Holy God that would get Him to change his mind and let us into heaven? After what He did for us! For more on faith and deeds read James 2:14-24. In reading don't confuse justification with salvation.