Decisions Decisions —

VennDiagram

Salvation is one form of decision, but it is not just any kind of decision. It is a very specific type of decision, so it might be misleading to say that salvation is a decision, unless the meaning is clarified.

Green set = all decisions
Black set = conscious decisions
Blue set = preferences
Gray set = beliefs
Yellow set = humility
Intersection of yellow set and gray set = salvation
Note: This Venn diagram is not to scale

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place,] with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Sometimes, humility can be quite difficult. However, humility becomes completely effortless when I see the glory of God, compared to my stupid, filthy weakness. It is no achievement, virtue, or accomplishment to turn from our sinfulness to His Way. It is the opposite of achievement. It is humility in response to God’s glory. One day, all will respond in humility in response to God’s unveiled glory — every knee shall bow — there will be no choice, which is why salvation can only be obtained before that day. However, in this life, God reveals to each person just the right amount of glory so that the choice is still personal.

As shown in the Venn diagram, there is an intersection between the following two categories of decision that will result in one receiving complete and eternal pardon for one’s sins — salvation:

  1. Belief: I must decide to believe in the one true, holy, loving, forgiving God who created everything, as taught in the Holy Bible — faith.
  2. Humility: I must make the humble decision that God’s Way is the right way, and forsake my sinful way — repentance.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

John 5:39-40
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Proverbs 1:28-30
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

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