In the hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, Matt Fouch shares the story of the amazing English revival in the early 19th century which resulted in many missionaries being sent to India.
The famous song, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, originated in Amman, India, when the village leader told a new Believer to recant his faith or watch his children be executed. He refused. His wife was executed, and he steadfastly refused the opportunity to deny his faith in Christ. Finally, the new Believer was executed for his refusal to deny Jesus Christ as Lord.
Every time the village leader gave him the opportunity to deny his Lord, the new Believer responded that he had decided to follow Jesus. The martyrs’ steadfastness to follow Jesus no matter what the cost led to the tribe turning in faith to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Lyrics)
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow 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, not turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will 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
This is a beautiful testimony of encouragement to stand firm in our faith and to faithfully follow Jesus – no matter what it cost us personally.
“The Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.’” ~Matthew 16:24 NASB
“You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.” ~Matthew 10:22 WEB
Recommendations:
Want Access to God? Jesus is the Way – Strength with Dignity
God Hears Our Cry – He Does Not Ignore Us – Strength with Dignity
References:
100 Bible Verses about Following Jesus. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from What Does the Bible Say About Following Jesus? (openbible.info)
Fouch, Matt. I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Story and the Song. Published on YouTube on May 13, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Songwriters: Unknown Source. Data from: Musixmatch. Lyrics for non-commercial use only.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is follow.
34 thoughts on “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Story”
I’d really like to follow You,
I’d really like to go Your way,
but if I try I will be through;
that is what my friends all say.
I’d really like the Jesus trail
(from what I hear, it’s quite a trip),
but friends say I’d end up in gaol;
illegal ’tis, to be unhip.
I’d really like to hang with Thee
(You’re always laughing, never tired),
but my friends all say to me,
“Let it go, dude, you’ll get fired!”
I really have best of intents,
but don’t dig the inconvenience.
Thanks, Andrew!
That’s an amazing story! I hope I would have the courage to do the same.
It is an amazing story, Lesley, and I pray the Lord would strengthen us and enable us to stand if we were ever placed in a like circumstance.
Lisa, that song has been going through my head off and on for a few weeks now. It is an amazing story and it has left me wondering about the strength of my own courage. Praying I will always stand firm and follow Him, no matter the cost.
It is an amazing story, Joanne, and I pray the Lord strengthens each of us to stand firm if we are ever put in perilous situations for His Name sake.
It has been a while sent I sang that song. It is a good reminder of how to be a follower of Christ.
It is a good reminder, Rhonda!
I think the comment I left was lost in the ether.
Can’t reproduce it exactly, but maybe this will be better.
I’d really like to follow Jesus,
but there’s so much on our plate,
and if He’d truly care to please us,
I’m sure He wouldn’t mind to wait
until investments turn a profit,
the Beemer has been paid in full,
I’m done with Prozac, can come off it
when Wall Street goes from bear to bull.
That’s really not so much to ask,
really not so high a price;
not an insuperable task
for One reputed as so nice,
and so it should be more than fine
that He takes His place in line.
I appreciate both poems, Andrew!
I came across this background story too, and found it so moving and inspiring. What faith and courage! Visiting from FMF#11
It is very inspiring, Kym!
Wow! Thank you for that history Lisa. I didn’t know that about this song. I think the place I have heard it most often is at altar calls. I didn’t know that about the English revival either. I am going to look that up.
FMF#12
I believe it mentioned it was the 1904-1905 English or Wales Revival either in this video or a similar video I watched about this story, Beth.
Thank you for sharing your resources Lisa!! I enjoy research.
Your welcome, Beth! As a fellow researcher, I understand the thrill of knowing where things originate.
May we be so full of Jesus and so obedient to his leading that we follow just as faithfully to the very end. Thank you for sharing this history, I’d never come across that before!
Amen, Lauri, may the Lord strengthen us to be faithful to the very end.
Lisa, this is a wonderful message. Thank you for sharing this story; this is such a beautiful song. I haven’t heard this song since childhood, and I immediately remembered it once It started playing.
FMF#15
It is a wonderful message, isn’t it, Paula? An encouragement to us to keep the faith.
I love to learn how and why songs have been written.🧡🌸💜thank you for writing your words today!
It is fun to find the background stories of songs, Lisa!
What a powerful testimony of courage in faith! I cannot even imagine – and that the same thing is still happening today – that Christians are being persecuted and killed for believing. What enduring faith!
It is a powerful and encouraging testimony, Maryleigh! May the Lord strengthen His people who are currently facing persecution.
Powerful testimony.
It is so encouraging, Sandra!
What an encouraging story of steadfast faith and following Jesus!
Their faith encourages us to be steadfast in Him, Deborah!
I’ve sung that song hundreds of times but I never knew the backstory. Thanks for sharing it. I hope I’ll remember it the next time I sing the song.
I’m so glad we learned the backstory, Lisa, as it brings deeper meaning to the words we sing.
I had the song in my head when I saw your title. And it’s a wonderful one to have in my head all day. I appreciate learning this story.
Thanks so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
It is such encouraging story, Paula, and inspires us to persevere in our faith!
What happened to the village leader later, did he come to the faith?
The story states the whole tribe came to salvation, Mike.