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DECISION

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 20.

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DECISION

By Rosaline O. Damon

This is an important element in the Christian character, though many times it costs us many hard struggles of mind, and sore conflicts of soul with the arch-enemy of all righteousness, or with our own depraved natures, to come out from the world and be separate. By decision those were led to obey the voice of Moses, who joined him when he cried, “Who will be on the Lord’s side?”
All through the Christian course it takes decision to be Christlike; and if we are not so, he tells us in his word that we are none of his.
A blessing always follows the act. When we decide to do right, the battle is half won. Satan knows his power over us is then broken. Then we can see the danger of being undecided. By so living we become an easy prey to the enemy’s devices, which are many in these last days of peril. Oh! how many are lingering in the valley of decision, believing some, or the most part of the truths of the Advent faith, and yet lacking moral courage to come out decided and embrace them. Do such think they can be saved in that undecided state of mind? No, they must act, obey what light they have, and more will be given.
It is a fearful thing to decide against the truth. The season of probation is almost closed with the human family; and oh! what a matter of rejoicing it will then be to have decided to obey God in keeping all his commandments, and the faith of Jesus. The storm of God’s wrath unmingled with mercy will soon be poured out upon a guilty world, and who will not wish that they had decided for the truth that they might have a shelter under the strong pavilion of the Lord.
Now is the time. Now is the day of salvation. Let all who will, come and take of the waters of life freely, without money, and without price. The ransom for sins has been freely given, and let us freely accept it. Soon Jesus will cease his pleading for guilty man, and the decree will go forth, He that is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is holy let him be holy still.
Dear reader, among which of these classes do you desire to be found? Are you striving daily to overcome your faults that you may be among the holy, sanctified ones, who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb? If not, let this be the glad hour that you make the decision to obey. We read that it is better to obey than to sacrifice. You will never regret such a step; but when the white cloud appears with the Son of man upon it, how many will regret their indecision.
We are either deciding for God, or against him, every day of our lives. How much better to decide for the right that we may be saved in the day of the Lord’s coming, which is not far hence.
ROSALINE O. DAMON