Both Calvinist and non-Calvinists believe their beliefs are scripturally based. We really dont need these threads. Calvinists quote their verses, we quote ours, and we both think the other side is misinterpreting the other's verses. All we're doing is damaging the body of Christ.
Jesus, while agonizing in the Garden about what He was about to suffer, prayed for all of us:
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23
Can we honor our Savior by agreeing on the main thing - that we are sinners, Jesus died for us, we are to live for Him, and work to bring others into the Kingdom?
I hereby formally apologize for any sarcasm, poking fun, jesting, and/or biting comments I have posted in the past. I love each of you as brothers in Christ and I am sorry for my part in us not being in complete unity.
Greatings dear brother in the Name of Jesus Christ
I wanted to just thank you for your concern that this thread follow meekness and kindness. We shouldn't have to compromise such things.
Even as the scriptures say:
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." [2 Timothy 2:24-26]
So, this unity-agreement is Spiritual, right. God is Spiritual and the things of God are spiritual. And when Christ, with much loudness and crying, made prayers and supplications for his sheep, in amongst his beautiful words he said: "
Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us... " And this is the habitation for God's people. He so wants us to be with him, but not on earth brother. God is going to leave earth in the book of revalations, and our purpose here is to preach the Gospel as much as we can before he leaves

... The unity that is so precious, I know brother... I also long to be at one with my brethrem, but it will be in heaven with Christ
"
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:6-10
So be careful. Don't let your desire for this cloud your purpose, and that is to preach the Gospel of Christ and him crucified... because without this message there can be no unity nor can there be any salvation at all. Make Jesus' message of "offence" your uttermost priority. It will cleanse and purify you... it will polish and mature you. It will also bring a temproral sense of unity and peace on earth. Remember, that as long as God's spirit is on earth, there will be a sense of order... so we can work during this time, but when he leaves, anarchy will be let loose.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." [Romans 1:16]
You asked us brother: "
Can we honor our Savior by agreeing on the main thing - that we are sinners, Jesus died for us, we are to live for Him, and work to bring others into the Kingdom? "
The answer is no, because we do not have the same basic beliefs. What we believe about sin is different... what we believe about Jesus is different... how we believe we must live for him is different... and how we believe our work brings people into the kingdom is also different. Our message we preach is different.
I leave you with Pauls words. And they may seam harsh, but please brother, understand what God's agenda truly is in these few days we have left on planet earth:
"That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" [Romans 1:12-18]
The rest is in Christ
Peace and grace
Josh