The merit of faith alone

Do you merit salvation by your faith alone?

I just want to be clear whether there is such a thing as merit or not?

Lutero said:

Salvation is not of ourselves so I'd say "no" to your question. Salvation is a gift.

We also believe that salvation is a gift. But then, many gifts are given on the basis of merit. For instance, I have given my children gifts if they received an A in some subject or if they did something speedily.

So, I'd like to focus on your direct answer to my question. My question is very simple. I asked:

Do you merit salvation by your faith alone?

You're response:

so I'd say "no" to your question.Ok, fair enough. What does it mean, then, merit?

1.claim to respect and praise; excellence; worth.

2.something that deserves or justifies a reward orcommendation; a commendable quality, act, etc.:Thebook's only merit is its sincerity.

3.merits, the inherent rights and wrongs of a matter, as alawsuit, unobscured by procedural details,technicalities,personal feelings, etc.: The case will be decided on itsmerits alone.

4.Often, merits. the state or fact of deserving; desert: totreat people according to their merits.

5.Roman Catholic Church . worthiness of spiritual reward,acquired by righteous acts made under theinfluence ofgrace.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/merit

when God says:

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Now, I'm thinking that if one's faith PLEASES GOD, then God finds merit with that faith. Otherwise, why must one have faith in order to be saved, if there is no merit in faith?

Any further thoughts?

Sincerely,

De Maria