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We don't work for a gift, it would cease to BE a gift. God's grace and mercy come to us through His love and we receive His gift of grace through FAITH.

A gift can be conditional though.

Heb 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Salvation is the gift. There's nothing we can do to earn that gift. But God can grant it based on the condition of obedience.

I'll give you a present if you come to the party...but I'm not going to see you out and give you the gift if you don't come to the party.

A gift can be conditional though.

The only condition on God's gift is that we receive it by faith. Any work that must be done to either get OR keep the gift renders it no longer a gift.

Heb 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

What does God call us to "obey"? Jesus answered this:

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:28,29)

Salvation is the gift. There's nothing we can do to earn that gift. But God can grant it based on the condition of obedience.

The obedience God requires is FAITH. For us to believe. Our good works do not earn grace because grace would cease to be grace.

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)

I'll give you a present if you come to the party...but I'm not going to see you out and give you the gift if you don't come to the party.

Again, God requires faith for us to receive His gift of eternal life. That's how we "come to the party".