I grew up singing the straightforward, yet powerful, song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” As a pastor, we now have made t-shirts for baptism Sundays that simply say, “I Have Decided,” based on this song. Yet not until recently was I made aware of the story that shaped the meaning of this song. Several weeks ago, I visited India for the primary time. I went to coach Bible college and seminary students who’re future church planters. I used to be bowled over by their faith and resolve. When we asked one student how we will pray for him upon his graduation, he responded, “Pray that I’ll serve Jesus with my last breath.”
These students understand the price of following Jesus and planting churches, especially within the north of India. A short while ago, a recent graduate of this seminary was shot and killed within the village where he was planting a church. Yet they’re resolved to hold the gospel to each town and each village. They call it “Do or die missions.”
The church of India has an extended, wealthy history of overcoming persecution. The legend behind the world-famous song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” has grow to be one among my favorites. It was within the mid-1800s when a family was led to Christ through the labor of Scottish missionary William Cowan. He served in India from 1866 until his death in 1902. He was an evangelist, preaching the gospel wherever he went, planting many churches. He was an educator who built many faculties and empowered so many families through literacy programs. He was also a reformer and introduced much of Northeast India to hygiene and higher health. He was a real demonstration of how the facility of the gospel can affect and influence a whole culture.
Cowan was not warmly received when he first arrived in Assam, India. The language barrier was just one among the various challenges he faced, yet he felt called to share the hope of the gospel with the Naga people group. He painstakingly learned the local language. He was capable of teach the villagers agriculture, and he even used scripture and the parables of Christ to strengthen spiritual truths. It wouldn’t be long before he planted his first church among the many villagers, and lots of began to experience faith in Christ.
One of his converts would face severe persecution that may ultimately cost him his life, yet little did he know that his stand for Christ would change the world. History doesn’t tell us his name, but be assured, heaven knows his name, for it’s recorded within the Lamb’s Book of Life. As the story goes, he and his family were brought before the tribal leadership. They were indignant that the gospel was spreading. They threatened him and his family and demanded that they surrender their faith. Remaining resolute, he famously responded, “I even have decided to follow Jesus.” The tribal people martyred his wife first, and it is alleged that it’s where the road, “Though none go along with me, still I’ll follow,” got here from. This faithful Christian would eventually lose his own life and pay the last word price for following Jesus. Christ said, “If the world hates you, do not forget that it hated me first” (John 15:18).
This song was given to us by the church of India. What a fantastic gift they’ve given the body of Christ. It was translated into English within the Nineteen Sixties, and over time, it has been translated into quite a few languages. Now that you already know the story behind the song, ponder afresh these timeless words:
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
I even have decided to follow Jesus;
I even have decided to follow Jesus;
I even have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho’ none go along with me, Still I’ll follow,
Tho’ none go along with me, Still I’ll follow,
Tho’ none go along with me, Still I’ll follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus,
My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus;
No turning back, No turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Now I invite you to do greater than ponder. Pray for the suffering Church. Today, the church of India still faces persecution, especially within the north of the country. Weeks before my visit to India, quite a few churches were burnt to the bottom within the northeast a part of the country. Christians who live in countries which are hostile to the gospel or face restrictive governments need our love, prayers, and support. Hebrews 13:3 reminds us to,
“Remember those in prison, as when you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as when you felt their pain in your personal bodies.”
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus – Lydia Walker (Lyric Video) from Lydia Walker on GodTube.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Sonja Filitz
Chad’s pastoral profession has not been defined by blindness. Rather, it’s his clear, biblical teaching that continues to grow an audience. He has traveled through forty nations, training pastors and strengthening churches.
Today, Chad teaches people to trust a God they can not see. His days are crammed with the things he loves most: leading, speaking, writing, and in fact, coffee! He is a spiritual content creator. By God’s grace, he’s emerging as a trusted spiritual voice in people’s lives. Chad could have blindness, but blindness doesn’t have him.
