What does it mean that salvation is not based on our choice?

In Reformed theology, it's emphasized that regeneration precedes faith. A person cannot choose Christ without being first made alive by the Holy Spirit. When we recognize that our will is enslaved to sin, we understand that any ability to believe comes solely from God’s initiative. God sovereignly ensures that His elect hear His call and are granted faith, which affirms that salvation is not a result of human decision but rather a divine act of mercy. This underscores the necessity of God's grace in the salvific process.