Historical Posts
Decision Tree – Judgment in a Safe Condition
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
You arrived here because you died before reaching an age of accountability (see Adulthood).
Your body is dead, but your spirit is alive!
See how Jesus looks upon a child in Matthew 18:2-5. Because you died physically without knowing sin, you are pure and acceptable before God.
Now the decision is God’s, not yours.
When you face the judgement (Hebrews 9:27), you are pure and acceptable before God. He has only one answer:
- Heaven
It is comforting to know that children who have not had an opportunity to live a full life on earth die with the best result. However, you are still living and this does not apply to you. You are, after all, reading this and thinking about it.
Go back, make your decisions and face the consequences.
Decision Tree – Adulthood
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
What does it mean to be grown up?
For our purposes in this discussion, we will consider it to be an age where one is mentally developed enough to understand the meaning of sin. Some might call it an age of accountability. Physically and socially one may not have reached “adulthood”; but once there is an understanding of the concept of sin, there is an accountability for that sin, a responsibility for it.
Welcome to being grown up.
Spiritually, temptation has presented itself and you have failed to resist. sinning against God. We all do at some point. Now you are in a state where your sin has separated you from God and you are spiritually dead. Consider the following.
God has no sin
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5
We do have sin
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8
“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” – 1 John 1:10
Therefore, our sin stands between us and God.
We can’t bring our sin into God’s presence. – 1 John 1:5
We have created a gulf, or separation, between us and God. – Isaiah 59:2
Knowing there is a God and you have separated yourself from Him…
What will you do (we will face this decision, day in and day out, all our lives)?
- Accept that there is a God, a creator, and search for Him.
- Reject the evidence and testimony of God, deny your sin, and live a self oriented life.
More about sin:
Decision Tree – Reject God’s Word and God Himself
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
You may still be alive on this earth, but spiritually, your sin continues to separate you from God.
Satan is rejoicing because you are his. Meanwhile, God is patiently waiting for you to turn to him, but he will not wait forever.
- “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:9-10)
- “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11)
- “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
Perhaps you will continue to live, but perhaps not.
It is not really in your hands (James 4:14, Hebrews 9:27), but select a path and see what comes next.
Decision Tree – Conception, Baby, Childhood
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Physically, you started life in the womb at conception. You survived the most dangerous threat at that age, abortion. You were born and grew into childhood.
Spiritually, a baby or child is innocent. They are unable to know what God expects, so can’t disobey. Romans 7:7-9 gives us insight as to why a baby or child is without sin.
What happens next? How will you leave childhood?
(True, the options here are not really your decision, but one of these two things will happen.)
- Die while still a baby or child.
(since you are reading and understanding this, you are already beyond this option.) - Grow up.
Staying a child is not an option – 1 Corinthians 13:11
Decision Tree – Judgment in a Saved Condition
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Your physical life is over and you now face the benefit of the decisions you made while you were alive. You are spiritually alive before God. You have:
- Lived your life believing in Jesus. Eternal life is the result (John 3:15-17).
- Searched the scriptures and found eternal life (John 5:39)
- Gone to the Word of God to find eternal life (John 6:68)
- Been willing to lose your life for Christ, and found it (John 12:25-26)
- Believed the things that were written and lead to life (John 20:30-31)
- Confessed Christ before men, now he will confess you before His Father (Luke 12:8).
All Decisions are Now in God’s Hands
Decision Tree – Judgment in a Lost Condition
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Your life is over. You can’t change the decisions you made while you were alive.
Many are familiar with “God so loved the world…” (John 3:14-16). But read the rest of the chapter and you will find that though the offer is open to all, there must be acceptance (John 3:17-21).
By refusing to accept and believe in Jesus while you were alive you have condemned yourself. You are like the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. He was not in a good place in Luke 16:23-24. And he could not cross to a better place in Luke 16:26.
All Decisions are Now in God’s Hands
He has told us how he will decide. – John 12:48
Decision Tree – Die Without Christ
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
You have waited too long to respond. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that once we die, we face the judgment. You have no more decisions to make.
All Decisions are Now in God’s Hands
Decision Tree – Die Faithfully
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Paul talks about coming to the end of his life in a faithful condition. He says he has, “fought the good fight” in 2 Timothy 4:7-8. You have accomplished the same and have the same reward awaiting you. You are ready for that rest (Hebrews 4:3, 9). You have no more decisions to make.
All Decisions are Now in God’s Hands
Decision Tree – Live Faithfully
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
You have decided so far to:
- Hear God’s Word
- Believe in God and His Word
- Act upon His message by (Contact Us if you still need to act):
– Confessing Christ
– Repenting of your sin
– Being Baptized into Christ
Your past sin no longer separates you from God!
Will you have it continue to do so? Temptation will continue. Satan will continue to attack (1 Peter 5:8). A time will come when you will sin again (1 John 1:8). What will you do when that happens?
What will you decide to do the next time you sin?
More about living faithfully:
- Walking in Love, Light, and Wisdom
- Heed God’s Warnings
- The Right Attitude
- Be Steadfast
- Rules of Engagement
- A Christian’s Walk
- Christians Must Never Give Up
Decision Tree – Be Baptized for Remission of Sin
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Even though you have now repented of your sin, the guilt of your past sin remains and must be dealt with. It is not something that you can do for yourself, it is something you must allow God to do for you.
God sent Jesus to be the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).
Peter spoke, in Acts 2:29-37, to people with your current understanding:
- There is a God
- They had sinned
- They asked, “what shall we do?”
Peter answered, In Acts 2:38, “repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins.”
Baptism is the death and burial of our sinful self followed by the rising of our new self, reconciled to God (Romans 6:3-11). This is what the Ethiopian did in Acts 8:35-39 when he went down into the water, then came out of the water.
Will you be baptized and allow God to wash away your sins with the blood of Christ?
- Be baptized, immersed in water, for the purpose of having your sins forgiven.
- Refuse to follow God’s instruction.
More about baptism:
- Baptism (with audio)
- How Do I Know I’m Ready (with audio)
- Can Baptism be Sprinkling, Pouring or Dipping
- Baptism
Decision Tree – Repent of Sin
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
You have heard God’s Word, believed it, confessed Jesus as the Christ, yet your sin continues to separate from God. But, will your understanding of your participation in sin lead you to have a Godly sorrow, that moves you to repent, which is giving up your sinful actions (2 Corinthians 7:10)?
Will you repent of your sin?
- Refuse to repent and continue to enjoy the temporary pleasure of sin (Hebrews 11:25).
- Be moved to action by Godly sorrow and repent, turning away from your sinful activities.
More about repenting:
What Does Jesus Require of You
Conforming Your Life to Christ
Decision Tree – Confess Jesus as the Christ
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Now that you have heard God’s Word and believe that Jesus is the Christ, are you ready to take further action? Jesus says that if we confess Him before men He will confess that we are His before the Father (Matthew 10:32) and the angels (Luke 12:8).
Will you demonstrate a living faith (James 2:17-20, 24) by verbally and publicly confessing Jesus as Christ?
Will you confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?
More on confessing:
Decision Tree – Believe
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
It is great that you have decided to listen to God’s instruction, but just listening is not enough because your sin continues to separate you from God. Now that you understand your dire situation, you need to act on the instruction God is providing.
You are now learning of God’s plan to save us from our sin.
Jesus left Heaven and lived among us, performing miracles to provide evidence that He is the Son of God (John 20:30-31).
He has told us that He is the only way for us to return to the Father (John 14:6).
He also says there is a consequence of rejecting Him. John 8:24 Jesus tells us, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
Will you Believe in God and Believe His Word?
- Disbelieve that Jesus is God’s Son.
- Believe that there is a God and go on with your life.
- Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and desire to obey.
More on belief and faith:
Decision Tree – Hear God’s Word
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Your sin continues to separate you from God, but you are on your first step to removing it by hearing God’s plan to save us from our sin. Romans 10:17 tells us, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Hearing God’s word is so important, it is the mission of all Christians –
- According to John 12:48, God’s Word will judge us. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” See more here.
- Luke 16:31 “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Will you listen to God’s word?
Will you receive it? It may seem like the “foolishness of preaching” at first, but it is God’s wisdom and his chosen way to save us.
- Listen to God’s message, the Word of God, leading to…
- Ignore God’s Word and refuse to hear God’s message.
But what about those who never have the chance to hear? Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us that God is just and right, so let’s leave those who never hear His Word in His hands. But that does not apply to you, so pick one of the options above.
More about hearing God’s Word:
Decision Tree – Repent and Pray
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
When we earnestly continue walking with Christ, he will forgive us should we sin (1 John 1:6-7).
Observe the instruction Peter gave to Simon in Acts 8:9-25.
- We know Simon believed and became a Christian when he was baptized in Acts 8:13.
- Then, he was overcome with temptation and sinned in Acts 8:18-19.
- Peter rebuked Simon for his sin in Acts 8:20-21.
- Then came the instruction on how to deal with this sin in Acts 8:22-23.
Simon responded with Godly sorrow, repenting and asking for prayer in Acts 8:24.
We have seen that God knows that as a Christian, we will not live perfectly, and He has prepared for that. We should expect that we will fail at times and not allow our imperfections to destroy us! Instead, failure should lead us to follow His Word by repenting and praying for forgiveness.