It was nearly midnight and we were traveling in our automobile. Our radio was turned on, and out of the air came a voice saying, "This is the hour of decision!"
It was an introduction to the Billy Graham radio broadcast. My mind and heart responded, "Yes, this is truly the hour of decision."
A message from the prophet Joel says: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. . . . Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision" (Joel 3:13, 14). Jesus is coming to reap the harvest. "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle" (Rev. 14:14). We are nearing the time for Jesus to return and the harvest is ripening for the reaping. Never during the years of my ministry have I seen so many in the valley of decision as there are today. What a tremendous challenge this presents to us as ministers and to every follower of Christ, to discover how to bring more men and women to a full decision for God.
We want lasting decisions, decisions that will prepare these men and women for heaven, decisions that will carry them through, even if they must face trouble and distress, scorn and reproach, fire, prison, and sword. We want decisions that are made in the citadel of reason. In Evangelism, page 281, the messenger of the Lord speaks of one extreme we must avoid —that of "weaving into the labors an element which moves the feelings and leaves the heart unchanged." Emotion plays a part in a decision for Christ, but reason must take control if that decision is to be permanent, and the heart really be transformed in desires.
Someone said to Dwight L. Moody, "There is one of your converts," and pointed to a man who was so dead drunk that he had fallen in the street. Moody replied, "Yes, he is one of my converts, but if he were one of God's converts he would not be there." What a satisfaction it is to look back a few years and see converts who have been faithful and who have grown to hold important offices in the church and in the organized work of God both in the homeland and in the mission field.
The time is fast approaching when "every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward" (1 Cor. 3:13, 14).
Let it be repeated, we want many more decisions, but we also want truly lasting decisions. When men and women young and old accept Christ, we want to see them remain faithful to Christ until with glad heart they greet His coming. When people declare themselves to obey all the commandments of God, we want to see them hold fast to the faith until they join with the ransomed throng in the earth made new, when they will come together from Sabbath to Sabbath to worship God. When converts lay down their cigarettes, pipes, and every other known defilement, we want to see them so victoriously delivered that they will at last march triumphantly into that eternal home where nothing defiling shall enter.
Through the years I have combined public evangelism and personal work in the homes, and the one supplements the other. The principles for getting decisions are much the same whether obtained in public, or in the private dwelling. However, the personal work and eventual decision in the residence can be of tremendous help in obtaining the confirmation of decision in the public meeting.
Let us now consider some principles in getting decisions.
"The people should be allowed to ask questions concerning subjects presented that seem to be obscure to them. . . . How often when this has been done, and the minister has been able to answer their inquiries, has a flood of light broken into some darkened mind, and hearts have been comforted together in the faith of the gospel."—ELLEN G. WHITE in Review and Herald, April 19, 1892, p. 241.
It is helpful to have a decision card on which they can register their decision.
If you endeavor to secure the decision in the home, suggest kneeling in prayer together and ask them if they are not willing for you to tell God that they are ready to make a complete commitment of their life to the Lord. Assure them that you will pray God to strengthen them as they move forward to serve Him.
8. Remember, the first need of every human being is to be brought into a personal experience in the saving power of Christ. First, we are to seek for conversion and then we can build upon a new-birth foundation. The apostle Peter has written; "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity" (2 Peter 1:4-7). We make a mistake if we try to build a preparation for heaven upon a carnal, sinful nature. The first absolute requisite is to bring the convert to a real experience in Christ as the manager of his life.
9. Be helpful to the convert in making adjustments in his life. Remember that a decision to obey God in the keeping of the Sabbath is often a very real test. It is not easy for a wage earner to give up his employment, not knowing where he is to obtain a livelihood for his family. This requires faith, and we should do all we can to build up his faith. Help him to have confidence that God is able to meet all his needs. But we must also help him solve his problem.
It is good when we as ministers approach employers on behalf of converts. I have found that employers usually respect the appeal of the ministry. I have had many thrilling experiences, and up to the present time have always found it possible to get proper arrangements made for Sabbath privileges.
There are three areas in which major decisions have to be made which usually are a test. The first is to accept Christ. The second is to keep the Sabbath when employment with Sabbath privileges is a problem. The third is giving up the use of tobacco, liquor, and other wrong habits. If the convert is brought to a genuine experience with the Lord it means much in solving the two latter problems. There is much valuable material now in print by the denomination on how to give up tobacco and liquor. This material, presented in a helpful manner and backed up by much prayer with the convert, will bring deliverance.
Sin is a disease. The sinner is sin sick. "Ah sinful nation. . . . The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. . . . From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it" (Isa. 1:4-6). There are many types of this spiritual disease. Here are a few and Scripture texts which will meet the need:
Too great a sinner to be saved. Isa. 1: 4-6, 18; Matt. 12:31; John 6:37.
The person is indifferent. Matt, 13:4042. Someday there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Rev. 6:14-17. Someday many will cry to be hidden from the presence of Jesus when He appears in clouds of glory. Better be more concerned now. The day is coming when no one will be indifferent.
Too deeply convicted of sin. Do not urge further conviction, but point the person to the rest and peace that can be found in our Saviour. Matt. 11:28; John 16:33; Isa. 38:17; 44:22. God will take care of our past sins. He will blot them out.
Has lost faith in Christian people. Look to Jesus and not to the people. Christ is our example. 1 Peter 2:21; Heb. 12:1, 2; Rev. 3:11. Let no man take thy crown.
Good morally and thinks that is sufficient. 1 John 5:11, 12. Eternal life is found only in accepting Jesus as Saviour. Rom. 3:23. All have sinned. Rom. 6:23. Wages of sin is death. John 3:5, 16. Must be born again by believing in Jesus. If not we will perish.
Does not believe in God and the Bible. Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1-4; 96:5. The wonders of Creation prove there is a God. John 13: 19; Isa. 41:21-23. Bible prophecy also proves the accuracy of God and that the Bible is a divinely inspired Book.
Is tied to the world. 1 John 2:15; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Peter 4:3, 4. Gal. 5:22; Matt. 24:35; 16:26; 2 Cor. 6:16, 17. Must come out and be separate from the world. Cannot love both God and the sinful indulgences of the world at the same time.
Expects to accept sometime, but delays. Prov. 27:1; James 4:13, 14; Luke 12:20. No one knows what a day may bring forth. Life is uncertain. Gen. 6:3; Heb. 3:7, 13, 15. While you procrastinate God's Spirit may cease striving with you.
Has backslidden. Jer. 3:22; Hosea 14: I, 4. God invites the backslider to return. He will heal your backsliding.
Once in grace always in grace. God will not let me be lost. Eze. 18:24; Heb. 10: 26-29. If you do not turn from your sins, your past righteousness will be forgotten and you will die in your iniquity. Sore punishment will come to those who trample the blood wherewith they were once sanctified.
In bondage to sinful habits from which they see no way of escape. Luke 2:8-11. We have a Saviour. Isa. 61:1. He is mighty to save. Phil. 4:13. Can do all things through Christ. John 8:36. Let go of the habit now and Jesus will set you free.
Afraid cannot live the life. Do not want to be a hypocrite. Gal. 2:20; Rev. 3:20; 1 John 4:4; Jude 24. Christ will live the life in you and will keep you from falling. The greatest sin is not to believe Him.
How to get the sinner to act. Luke 13:24, 25; Joel 3:13, 14. Someday the door of mercy will close. Multitudes will be caught in the valley of decision when salvation's day ends. Luke 17:12-14. God will cleanse you if you will only move forward.
When a successful salesman approaches a customer he seeks a basis for an appeal. He seeks for some responsive suggestion that will effect a sale. The Bible has given us many bases for appeals to human hearts. Let us use them. Here are a few:
1. John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 2:9. God has a wonderful home He wants you to enjoy throughout eternity.
2. God offers you eternal life. John 3:15; John 5:11, 12; Job 2:4. What men will do to extend their present life for a few years! God will give us everlasting life if we accept Him.
3. We can meet our loved ones where there will be no parting. 1 Thess. 4:13-16; 2 Sam. 12:23.
4. God loves you. How good it is to be loved by Him whose love never fails. 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:19.
5. The man without God is without hope. Eph. 2:11, 12; Heb. 6:19; Joel 3:16. Come and find real hope in Him.
6. Enjoy thrilling peace and joy in the Lord. Phil. 4:7; Gal. 5:22; Isa. 57:21. There is no genuine peace for the sinner.
7. Jesus will counsel and give guidance to your confused and tangled life. James 1: 5; Isa. 41:10; Heb. 13:5, 6.
8. You need to find God for the sake of your family. You have a glorious privilege and a tremendous responsibility to set the example and impart the way of righteousness to your children and companion. Jer. 13:20. Gen. 18:18, 19; 7:1, 2; 1 Cor. 7:14.
9. God needs your service to help others. Rev. 22:17. You need Christ and Christ needs you. It is good to be needed.
Preach for decisions; present studies in the homes in such a way as to reach for decisions; pray for decisions; plead for decisions; expect decisions. Remember that the only thing that stands between many a soul and a home in heaven is a decision to follow Christ all the way. "In every discourse [or Bible study] fervent appeals should be made to the people to forsake their sins and turn to Christ."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 396. "Some may be listening to the last sermon [or Bible study] they will ever hear."—Ibid., p. 394.
