Me "knowing God" ain't got nothing to do with it. Its a simple question really, as it pertains to the thief on the cross.
It has everything to do with it.
It's been answered.
I'll try one more time...
Justification is immediate and happens when one converts to becoming a Christian and serving God. God does all the work. Justification is a legal process and is declared by God as to the state of your being saved. At that moment...
Sanctification is a life-long process. It requires our cooperation. The Holy Spirit is living with us, or in us. He helps us to grow in our faith. He helps us to know when we're sinning, it's called conviction; He is our paraclete; He stands by our side and helps us to turn down sin; He gives us the strength we need.
Jesus had to leave us and return to the Father, being that He is the 2nd person of the Holy Trinity. However, He did say He would not leave us alone.
John 16:7
Sanctification involves our doing God's will, following His lead, believing in Jesus and loving God, ourselves and our neighbor and doing whatever that love would entail.
A man hanging from a cross can't do much, he doesn't have much time either. He confessed, he showed a desire to be with Jesus. He was saved as saved could be.
A person in a wheelchair can't do much. He could MAYBE pray. Maybe not even that. But he could have love for God and God knows who loves Him.
If one loves God, they DO tend to want to walk through life with Him.
This walk through life is called sanctification.