Well perhaps I shouldn't discuss my own salvation experience but I would lay money its similar to many who believe in Doctrines of Grace. I was definitely NOT seeking God, in fact, years earlier I had set aside my war with God because I was fully convinced there was no God with which to war. Yet, when He decided the time was right, He came to me, revealed Himself, then it was child's play for Him to arrange circumstances to where I was confronted with His revelation. The only choice after that is to willfully bind my spirit with His, which I gladly did. But it was not a "choice" I made. It was the ONLY possible avenue to take, which is the case in all true salvation episodes.
This criminal wasn't seeking God either but something happened to change that in six hours. That is why the PB Brethren and I believe that no one is lost eternally unless God says they are. We never make that judgement because someone can be saved in the 11th hour as this scriptures states. There is no human ability here God did ALL the work! He saves from the cradle to the grave!
Luke23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
My question is if both had the opportunity why did only one come to Christ?
Surely from a human standpoint wasn't God unfair because the other one wasn't saved. ? They were both equally guilty?... Brother Glen