Why I Believe that the Two Thieves on the Cross Can Account for Unconditional Election

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Jesus' death on the cross also brings the topic of two thieves. Luke 23:39-43 records what Matthew didn't - Matthew only recorded the two thieves railed against Jesus (Matthew 27:44). However, Luke records the wonderful conversion of the thief on the cross:
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, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.

You can think of the situation of the two thieves. One thief died and went to Hell. The other thief died and was taken to Paradise and then to Heaven. Paradise was a part of Hades (Hell) which was for the redeemed and the other part was called the Place of Torment. Luke 16:16-31 also shows that there was a great gulf (chasm) in between the Place of Torment and Abraham's Bosom. It wasn't a great gap between Heaven and Hell but a great chasm between them. Abraham's Bosom would now be empty ever since Jesus descended into Hell to bring the Old Testament saints into Heaven. 

Jesus had just asked His Heavenly Father to forgive the crowd for the ignorance of their sin (Luke 23:34). It made one thief see the need for forgiveness and the other didn't. Both thieves were previously participants in the mockery. Now, one thief was going repentant and ended up rebuking his companion. What was going on? I was thinking that John 6:44 could hold the answer. Jesus said no person can come to Him except God the Father draw them first. I'm thinking now the power of God the Father is drawing the other thief to repentance. It's a big change of heart that one thief had it and the other didn't. Why would a thief who was so mocking Jesus earlier for many hours earlier be now in a state of repentance? Why is the other thief after hearing Jesus ask His Father to forgive the crowd still asking Jesus to save Himself and them? I think it would be accounted to the doctrine of election. One thief was chosen and the other thief wasn't. Why it's so that I can't fully comprehend the mind of God. The other thief who was without the capacity to believe is now repentant after many hours of mocking. I believe this is the irresistible grace of God at work on the wicked thief on the cross!

The hymn "There is a Fountain" also has a stanza about the dying thief. I don't think the dying thief would be so repentant if it wasn't for the power of God the Father drawing him to the Son. I doubt that same thief wouldn't develop his sudden humility without God the Father drawing him the Son. I can just imagine how Jesus, in full obedience to the Father, accepted the dying thief drawn to Him. The evidence of God the Father's power in the repentant thief is in seeing his sin, rebuking his companion, and by faith asking Jesus to remember him and seeing Jesus' innocence. What a wonderful change. I don't think that the thief's wonderful repentance was in him. It was an act of mercy for him that he would gain the will to believe in Jesus. The other thief wasn't drawn by the Father so he remained in his unbelief. The other thief portrayed what can be considered a hard-to-believe incident. Nobody can expect a vile thief who deserved to die by crucifixion to suddenly see all his error just like that apart from the unconditional election and irresistible grace of God. 

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