Decision Theology

Decisions Decisions

Where to live? Whom to marry or even to marry? Which employment do I seek or stay where I am already employed. These and many other decisions face people each and every day. But do we decide when it comes to Jesus? I often hear from people the evidence they want in order to decide whether God exists and do they need the salvation from Jesus.

The so called Evangelical section of the church is quite wrapped up in what is called Decision Theology. This will raise more questions than it answers. This will not work at all when speaking to atheists or other questioners. And this will encourage them to, in addition, claim he or she does not need it.

When talking to a Christian who is mistaken that it was their decision which saved them more than likely will ask "When did you decide to follow Jesus?" If one cannot remember a point in time where they went from unbelief in Jesus then doubt will be cast upon that person. How exciting is it to think I am a believer in Jesus because I examined the evidence. I came to the conclusion that it made sense. So I decided to give my heart and life to Jesus. Heady stuff! This false teaching, indeed, appeals to the inner brat.

Instead of focusing on the finished work of Jesus these brothers and sisters will look at experience for assurance. This is the primary offense for it robs God of his glory in salvation.

Ephesians 2:2  And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy,because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  ESV

God from beginning and throughout salvation is doing the saving and keeping without the help or permission of the saved. This is indeed good news for, again, the only focal point for a sinner is the Crucified and Risen Lamb of God. No need therefore, to spend countless hours trying to remember the exact time that you made a decision for Jesus. We no longer need be concerned whether our decision was in earnest or possibly too shallow. Let us trust this good news and live in its peace. 

In the name of Jesus.  Amen. †