Re: “But when you say “the sinner” we must be clear that Jesus did not die for all men, only the elect.”
You and I are not going to agree on this. I do not believe that Calvinism’s God is the God of the Bible. Obviously you do. I’ve been through all of this with a very close friend and I really don’t care go through it with you.
I guess my one observation would be is, with the God of Calvinism, one has no assurance that one is saved, nor can you tell your family members or friends that God loves them and wants them to come to salvation, because you don’t know that either. What do you tell your children, that MAYBE God loves them, or that maybe He wants them to fry in Hell for eternity? I mean who knows? It could be either.
Just because you “think” you are saved is no guarantee that you are - remember nothing you do or say or think has anything to do with your salvation - it is all up to God’s own choosing. Maybe you just think you are saved, or God has sent a “lying” spirit to you. You never know for sure. It doesn’t matter what you think you believe - it is totally up to God. It would be arrogant to believe that YOU are among the chosen Elect. What real assurance do you have of salvation? A feeling? A belief you think you hold? Pretty shakey foundation.
**guess my one observation would be is, with the God of Calvinism, one has no assurance that one is saved,***
Yes. You do. If you put your faith in Jesus for your salvation you are one of the elect
** nor can you tell your family members or friends that God loves them**
Which, BTW, is no a Biblical model for evangelism.
**and wants them to come to salvation, because you don’t know that either.**
So we preach the Gospel to all, because we don’t know who is elect and who isn’t.