Exactly! If Pate or any other person believes in his mind that he became saved by a decision he made, something that he did, e.g. his own believing, obeying, calling on the Lord, etc., that's boasting because others, not as wise as him, had the same opportunity but failed to take advantage of it.
But the Truth is, if a person has never been Born of the Spirit he has no Salvation!
"Now if any have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" Rom. 8:9
So all the works the natural man [not Born of Spirit] does to get himself saved, al his righteous acts and moral living, cannot please God Rom. 8:8; they are as filthy rags in His sight Is. 64:6!
1 Cor 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know, because they are spiritually discerned.