Faith comes after regeneration. Here is an excerpt from The Essential truths of the Christian faith by R.C. Sproul: The Bible says that we are not justified by our own good works, but by what is added to us by faith, namely the righteousness of Christ. In a synthesis, something new is added to something basic. Our justification is a synthesis because we have the righteousness of Christ added to us. Our justification is by imputation. God transfers to us, by faith, the righteousness of Christ. This is not a “legal fiction” because God ascribes to us the real merit of Christ, to whom we now belong. It is a real imputation. Sproul, R. C. 1992. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.