I have met MANY Calvinist zealous to convince other denominations of Calvinism. I have met very few exhibiting the same zeal for reaching the lost.You seem to be the one drawing distinctions. We're all "the lost" without the free, unmerited grace of God given by, for and through Jesus Christ who alone justifies the unGodly (Romans 4:5.)
IMO the difference between our understandings is that you believe you can come to God of your own free will and I believe it is by the supernatural, predestining work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1.)
"For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" -- 1 Corinthians 4:7
"You seem to be the one drawing distinctions. We're all "the lost" without the free, unmerited grace of God given by, for and through Jesus Christ who alone justifies the unGodly"
Yes, I am drawing distinction. Calvinists often want to focus on converting Christians to Calvinism rather than bringing people to Christ.
"IMO the difference between our understandings is that you believe you can come to God of your own free will and I believe it is by the supernatural, predestining work of the Holy Spirit"
There are many more differences (as you know). I don't believe anyone comes to Christ without God's drawing power. No one comes "on their own". But once drawn, they still have a choice and still have the ability to refuse God's offer.
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
Therefore I was angry with that generation,
And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.’
So I swore in My wrath,
‘ They shall not enter My rest.’”
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said:
“ Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”