Would a better analogy be that a gift can be given and remain boxed and unused? Or has that already been argued, and thought to be too simple or basically the same thing?
Yea, I tried that, even going to the parable of the Talents and the guy who buried his one talent...But, well, you know how it is.
Regards
Yes, that has been argued and there is certainly nothing wrong in the making of that argument. I agree that some gifts go unused and/or are wasted. I agree that God could give me a special gift, say, in some artistic capacity, that I could choose to waste.
I suppose, in a way, that I am arguing that the gift of salvation may be different, as is the difference between need and want. I don't need to be a musician, but I do need salvation. Likewise, if I give my child a toy that he doesn't like I allow him to refuse it. I won't make him play with it (but I might!). But, when I give my child food or clothing, even if he doesn't like it, I require that he does accept. He needs to eat and be warm.
In my thinking of God's love for us, He knows what we need and the elect shall have it. His plan is for the elect to be saved, so they will. I still do not see how God is showing love for us by "respecting" our decision to refuse salvation. God knows what that really means, by comparison we have only a glimmer. This is obviously even more so than the ruin we protect our children from "against" their will. :)