I think I would tell the seeker in your point S #3 two things:

First, that the new birth is from Above, not from within. Therefore since salvation is the act of God upon persons of His choosing, he should seek the Lord while He may be found. In the case of the rich young ruler, that search ended with Jesus' use of the Law to expose his idolatry. In the case of the Elect, the search always persists until conversion.

Second, I would offer that an unregenerate soul would probably not even be concerned about his/her standing before God, beyond perhaps a mere intellectual curiosity or fear of judgment. The fact that one asks the question, and recognizes his or her own depravity and helplessness should be an encouragement to him or her, since the Lord will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Again, Edwards and Gerstner have it right: Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. And give up on all "alternative methods" of obtaining (earning, winning, accomplishing, currying) His mercy. That is superstition and I dare say it's what most people are looking for when they ask "What must I do to be saved."

-Robin