That is what we understand to be the 'free will," HD.
We continuously reject His message
We are on the same page so far!
That's real progress, given our historical disagreements :)
The only reason some of us are saved is simply because He opens our eyes and hearts to the truth
I was afraid you'd say that, but it gives me a specific academic point at which the Reformed theology begins the depart from our mindset.
It is difficult to for me to believe that God calls but doesn't open our eyes. The reprobate know what is good and what is evil, HD. They choose evil because it is closer to our nature. We turn down God, not the other way around. It is we who hate Him, not Him who hates us. After all, He took our natire and suffered and died so that mankind can choose between eternal life and eternal death.
As one of my dear priests once said: "God gives in abundance, and we only give Him crumbs off of our tables!"
Why do you feel that you made the right decision to follow Christ and Joe Reprobate did not? Was it because you are smart, more noble, or just a much better person? Was it because you're more pious or try more harder?
And what happens if Joe Reprobate is a famous surgeon who helps heal sick children in low cost clinics, spends his time with the Boy Scouts, gives generously and is an all around good guy in his community? But yet he's not a believer. Joe Reprobate by our standards isn't "evil" as we would classify "evil" with say, Osama bin Laden. Is Joe still bound for hell?
What is it that separates you from Joe or Osama for that matter?