The faith spoken off in Eph 2:8 is not our faith, but the faith of Christ. Christ's faith delivers us eternally Gal 2:16. Our faith in the gospel delivers us as we live here in this world, but it cannot deliver us eternally. After we have been regenerated we abide in Christ, but when we yield ourselves to the pleasures and sins of the world, we loss our fellowship with god, until we repent of the sin that we have committed. we do not lose our eternal salvation. John 15:4-6.
I would agree as a gift it becomes our born again communication line or what I would call born again soul . Two walking yoked together in agreement. Previously having "no faith" as it pertains to the work of God in us not seen . Faith works two ways .God reveals himself as a source faith towards us .It works in us to both will and perform His good pleasure we then can offer our faith towards Him. In all cases he does the first work to turn us, again to that we can in turn, turn to Him..(repent)
If we would offer our faith coming from us towards him as the first work we would be required to repent of that dead work . That crucifies Christ over and over to public shame as if one demonstration was one enough .
Hebrews 6 King James Version (KJV) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,