Why is faith considered a gift in Christianity?

In the context of Reformed theology, faith is seen not as a human-generated belief but as a divine gift bestowed upon individuals. Romans 10:17 states that 'faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' This indicates that faith is initiated by God’s revelation through His Word. Therefore, even our response of faith is rooted in God’s grace, recognizing that it is ultimately He who enables us to believe and trust in Him, reinforcing the theological understanding of total depravity and the unconditional nature of God’s gifts.