Actually, I've only turned to a more Calvinistic theology within the last year of being a Christian for over 30+ years. While I've always known my relationship with Christ it was rather by "accident" that I stubbled onto the Reformed doctrine and primarily the sovereignty of God.
For all my Christian years in all the various churches I've attended, I rarely heard about God's sovereignty and never in the context of God's control. When I heard one tape about this (I was painting a bedroom) I was dumbfounded that such a doctrine is so obscure in the church today. I went to the various scriptural text and, sure enough, God's sovereignty is all over. What more, many of the passages (e.g. John the Baptist, predestination, hardening of Pharaoh's heart, etc.) now made perfect sense. I read through the TULIP, some of the Reformation and the very early church fathers writings (Augustine, etc) and I am absolutely convinced that God's sovereignty was the focus of the early church. While I'm not that familiar with Calvin's writings, I have no trouble explaining it just on my understanding of God's sovereignty.
So to answer your question, I would have to say now after personally researching and reviewing so much pro and con material I objectively believe in election and security. I also find this is NOT a popular belief. (God sovereignty not popular?!?) But be that as it may I believe the theology that I clinged to for 30+ years is in error.
I love hearing your testimony, Harley.
painting the ceiling...
Your own "Michelangelo" moment.
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." - John 15:26-27.