Is faith a decision?

It is usually said that one must make a decision for Christ to be saved. I question whether the word "decision" is best used in this way.

The decision one should make that may lead to faith is an investigation or availing.

One should choose to avail himself to the word of God. Knowledge and understanding are essential for persuasion.

Consider the Ethiopian treasurer who was reading Isaiah 53 concerning the prophecy of Christ as the suffering servant. Philip comes along to help him understand: 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' (Acts 8.29-31)

Illumination comes by comparing and understanding God's truth. Illumination results in persuasion, conviction, and this is what happened to the Ethiopian with the help and further truth given by Philip concerning the fulfillment of Isaiah 53 in the person of Christ.

Zane Hodges writes in his commentary on James 1.18, page 31, “faith is not an act of the human will, but rather a firm conviction about the truth of God when we are illuminated by it.”

Faith only takes place in a person who has understanding and persuasion.

Romans 4.19: “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."

“Fully convinced” means persuaded, assured--not a partial conviction.

Rene Lopez, in his commentary on Romans 4.19-22: “Paul defines Abraham’s faith as being fully convinced. The term fully convinced is not the best translation. It wrongly implies the possibility of varying degrees of faith (99%, 90%, 80%, etc.) in believing the initial promise. Scripture knows only 2 options when it comes to faith and believing: one is either convinced, or is not convinced. The Greek term … basically means to be assured or to be certain. The entire context refers to faith in the promise of God. Paul clarifies Abraham’s faith as fundamentally being assured or convinced of God’s declared or promised seed. Clearly, this is not an act of the will exercised by Abraham but rather a conviction or persuasion that what God promised is true. No one can ever become convinced by an act of the will if they mentally believe something is false. Even at a basic human level faith is a conviction that something is true.”

Romans 10. 17: “So then faith [ comes ] by hearing , and hearing by the word of God.”

Hebrews 4:1: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard [it]. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest…”

Acts 18. 4: “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.”

Acts 28. 23: “So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at [his] lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.”