One of the reasons I believe free will has nothing to do with who embraces messiah is because the default position is disinterest, till you are granted an obsession where everything comes secondary to pursuing the only question worth asking. For this
Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
Those who weren’t always designed to come are never mercifully given this obsession to seek after God as a primary focus. That’s why free will has nothing to do with salvation.