This is how faith comes about, according to Paul. You have no control in the matter. Instead, he said quite frankly that faith comes or develops as a result of hearing the message of salvation. Until then he is dead in his sins. This seems to demonstrate rather strongly that God has not constrained a segment of the population to be saved and arbitrarily by-passed all others.
Salvation is open to anyone with a receptive heart.
God foreknew who would have open, receptive hearts and seek eternal life. It seems these are the ones he chose to save. I suggest we leave it at that. But only those whom God foreknew. Our acceptance of Him is voluntary.