I think that one thing people are overlooking is that the Holy Spirit convicts a person to bring them to Christ.
When a person hears the Word of God and is convicted by the Holy Spirit, he is truly convinced that sin is a terrible thing. Sin is not something to be loved, it brings death and destruction.
That is the difference between someone who refuses to trust Christ. They love sin, they think it is a good thing, something that makes their life better or more enjoyable. They do not see sin as something evil that is destroying their life.
But a person who hears the Word of God and sincerely listens is convicted by the Holy Spirit that sin is a very terrible thing. They hate sin, and love good. This change in attitude toward sin is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
It was when I realized that sin was destroying me that I came to Jesus for forgiveness of my sins. I didn't want sin in my life anymore, I hate sin. But I had already sinned and was under it's condemnation. I had to come to Jesus to have all my sins forgiven. But it is not just for sins past, it is for all my sins, past, present, and future.
So, a person who comes to Christ has already had a change wrought in their heart by the Holy Spirit. They no longer love sin but hate it.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.