What is an “Informed
Decision”?
First, it needs to be clear that we need to live out the message of a transformed life for seekers to come to know the Lord. God will judge those that spew empty words that do not reflect the conduct hidden from public view. We see this clearly in Ephesians 5:6. How can people believe our words when they fail to resonate in our lives?
I know deep in my heart that God is deeply grieved by those that give a “sales pitch” gos-pill message because my heart weeps with His. We are commanded to make “disciples” which is from the Latin word translated from the Greek “Mathetes”. It is common to define this term as a mere learner or a “follower” (from what distance?) A cursory examination of God’s Word does not allow such a superficial meaning to be taken as sufficient. While it is true that such is part of what Christ was getting at- it is the minor part. Christ challenged those that seek eternal life “If anyone does not love Me more than father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, yes even his own life he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 A disciple is one that has made an informed decision to follow Christ knowing full well that doing so costs all that he has.
It is our role to inform and the Holy Spirit’s role to transform. If we fail to do our role – or presume to do the Holy Spirit’s role, grave error results. Either way, souls are led into a false sense of security. We should never try to sell someone a half-truth. In the early church they would spend at least three years instructing a person before they would perform the rite that would initiate them as a full fledged member. Am I saying that we should take that long? Not at all – what I’m saying is that people need to have a clear and balanced understanding of the gospel message – including the worldly liabilities and they are considerable.
Further, souls should be gently and lovingly challenged to examine the Word of God for themselves – and in turn – be examined BY the Word of God. An unexamined faith has little if any value when souls are required to stand before God to give an account. We are to teach just as we would want to be taught - with patient instruction demonstrated in day to day conduct.