Why is saving faith considered rare?

In the context of Matthew 8, the preacher illustrates that saving faith is a precious and rare gift bestowed by God. The Lord marveled at the centurion’s faith, stating He had not seen such faith even within Israel, signifying its scarcity (Matthew 8:10). This truth underscores that apart from God's sovereign will and drawing, individuals will not come to faith naturally. Moreover, many strive in their own righteousness or religious observance but fail to grasp the necessity of abandoning all to trust solely in Christ. Understanding that saving faith is a divine gift ought to instill both humility and gratitude in believers, recognizing that only by God's grace are we made able to believe.