Ten Commandments for Obtaining Personal Decisions

The critical moment in an orbital space flight is not the immersion of the cap­sule in the Atlantic after its re-entry into the earth's atmosphere, but probably the moment of decision that immediately pre­cedes the launching. If an error takes place at this time, the whole mission will most likely be abortive.

The critical moment for a soul being launched into the kingdom of heaven is likewise not the moment of immersion in the water of the baptismal tank, but that psychological moment when the Holy Spirit has everything in readiness and only the person's specific decision remains to be made. Months, even years, of preparation go into the final countdown for the launch­ing of a space vehicle. It is just as impor­tant to carefully prepare the individual soul for his moment of decision.

At a time as critical and important as that of the decision crisis God certainly does not leave His agents to depend on last-minute, hit-or-miss methods to bring the person successfully through the deci­sion. He has, in fact, given us a wealth of instruction to enable us to understand this most delicate science of all. From this in­formation ten specific rules have been se­lected that might be termed Ten Command­ments for Obtaining Personal Decisions.

I. Personal

Decision appeals must be made personal.

They must be tailored to fit individual in­terests and personality. This presupposes that the one laboring for the decision has become well acquainted with the prospect and that the new believer himself is aware of the interest in him as a person rather than as a statistic.

II. Progressive

Decisions must be progressive. We should build a habit of positive responses. Such responses can begin first with a desire that is common to all, such as a prayer concern­ing personal problems or for someone in the family. Other areas for specific re­sponses might be listed as follows:

1. Acceptance of Christ as Saviour.
2. Expression of desire for heaven.
3. Indication of desire to be ready when Christ returns.
4. Loving acceptance of God's will as expressed in His law.
5. Decision to keep the Sabbath.
6. Acceptance of vital truths.
7. Decisions to conform to Christian standards.
8. Commitment to be baptized and to join the remnant church.
9. Commitment to service for Christ.

III. Planned

The approach must be planned. The Holy Spirit is just as able to inspire the planning of an approach as He is able to give the right words or text when the ap­peal is being made. Before going to his home, prayerfully outline the approach, and select texts that will meet the needs of the interested one.

IV. Prayerful

The decision should be sealed with prayer. It has been proved that the most effective way to get a person to voice his decision is to ask him to do so in a simple prayer.

V. Positive

The appeal should be positive. This calls for a sanctified use of the power of suggestion and a positive way of phrasing the appeal.

VI. Pointed

Close and pointed appeals must be made. (See Testimonies, volume 1, pages 646, 647.) Appeals must be specific, definite, and to the point. It is essential that the in­terested person understand the decision be­ing made in the same way that the worker intends it to be understood.

VII. Persuasive

Appeals to the impelling motives must be used to make decision appeals truly persuasive. A decision is only really mean­ingful when the interested person really wants to do, or have, that toward which your appeal is directed. Creating real de­sire is essential before decisions can be suc­cessfully urged. The greatest impelling mo­tive is, of course, love.

VIII. Practical

The course of action must be presented as practical. AVe must teach "how" as well as "why," and then give practical help in the achieving of the desire. It is my convic­tion that in the matter of leading to an ac­ceptance of Christian standards, true con­version and a belief in the Spirit of Proph­ecy are essential to full and meaningful de­cisions. We are told that we should "talk of Christ, and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the Word of God will drop off."—Evangelism, p. 272.

IX. Patient

We must be patient in our decision min­istry. We dare not force or compel. Even God doesn't do this. At our recent field school in Fresno, Elder E. C. Banks put this thought in a very unique way when he stated, "Premature birth creates many complications and problems." He pointed out that this was true spiritually as well as physically.

X.  Persevering

We must also be persevering. Evange­lism, page 298, indicates that some under conviction need to be urged, but this does not mean they should be forced. With some who are hesitating we need to get down to the basic root of the problem. Sometimes we are surprised to learn that it is, after all, some very simple little problem or misun­derstanding that is causing the person to hesitate.

Through the combination of honest, fair, and tactful methods combined with the convicting power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can lead rather than drive peo­ple to personal decisions. In a spirit of love and genuine interest in those for whom we are laboring we can guide them to such an appreciation of Christ that they will truly want to entrust their all to Him. Only such decisions as are obtained in this manner can be meaningful and lasting.