First it must be stated that God's basis for choosing is completely different from humanity's way. For example, the Bible says that God chooses the poor and unwanted and weak in the world. (1 Corinthians 1:26- 31). This is proven by history where Christianity has most thrived in impoverished countries (see e.g., article on the Veritas site, "Christianity is no longer a Western religion"). This is in great contrast to human beings who choose the rich and popular and handsome. One good example of this contrast is in the area of adoptions where it is the Christians (following the example of their Lord) who adopt the crippled, blind, and mentally handicapped children, whereas most others choose to adopt healthy, cute, normal kids. Though the answer to this question is ultimately a mystery, from what we do know, God's basis for choosing is less selfish and superficial and indeed morally superior to ours. We must be mindful of this when we criticize the results of God's choosing based upon our own biases.

To address the question more specifically, this analogy by R.C. Sproul may prove helpful. Dr. Sproul once taught a class where he said from day one, "There will be three papers, if you are late turning them in, you get an automatic F." When the due date for the first paper came around, three people came into class trembling and begging Dr. Sproul for an extension. They said that they were so busy that they couldn't get it done. Dr. Sproul replied, "You know what I had said from day one about the automatic F, but I will give you a one week extension." The three students thanked him profusely. When the second paper deadline came, about ten students came into class shaking in fear and asking Dr. Sproul for an extension, giving various excuses. Dr. Sproul looked stern and reminded them about his automatic F policy, that they all had fair notice, but in the end, Dr. Sproul gave them all a one week extension. When the third and final paper deadline came, half the class did not finish their papers in time. They were not afraid because they all expected Dr. Sproul to give them extensions. When Dr. Sproul saw this, he took his grade book out and began calling out the class' names: "Anderson, where's your paper?" Anderson replied, "I don't have it." Dr. Sproul yelled out and marked, "F!" Dr. Sproul then asked, "Baker, where's your paper?" Baker replied, "I don't have it." Dr. Sproul yelled out and marked, "F!" . . . and down the list Dr. Sproul went, marking students' grades with F's. About half way through the list, a student cried out, "But that's not fair!" When Dr. Sproul heard this, he said, "Johnson, was that you?" Johnson replied, "Yes." Dr. Sproul then said, "You want fair? I noticed that you were late on your first two papers and I gave you extensions on both of them. Since you want fair, I will give you F's for both papers."

Sproul's point was that those who complain when God chooses to act justly toward some rather than to act graciously toward all has not realized that God is only obligated to act justly toward all rather than to act graciously to even one.

Dr. Sproul didn't HAVE to give extensions to the late students. In fact we must question whether Dr. Sproul was being unfair to the other students who had submitted their papers on time. Similarly, it seems very unfair to me that all the people in hell are justly paying for their crimes while believers get away with their sins and get "extensions" on their lives.

To elaborate, let's suppose a governor pardons a serial murderer on death row. Would you then protest, "Governor, why don't you pardon all of the serial murderers on death row? You pardoned one, so why don't you pardon all?" More likely, you would protest, "Governor, how could you pardon even one murderer?" Likewise, it makes no sense to wonder why God does not act graciously toward more sinners. The wonder is in the wrong place.

Do you remember the OJ Simpson trial? I am still disgusted by the jury that freed that double murderer. In a way, my struggle has been how not to be disgusted with God for pardoning even Christians. The true objection for me is not why God is not gracious toward all, but how God can be gracious toward even one and yet still be just Himself. That is the underlying problem that Romans 3:25-26 wrestles with. Another good passage to study is Matthew 20:1-16.