I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Backgrounder: The lyrics are based
on the last words of Nokseng, a
Garo man, a tribe from Meghalaya
in Assam India, who along with
his family decided to follow Jesus
Christ in mid 19th century thro
the efforts of a Welsh missionary.
Called to renounce his faith by the
village chief, the convert declared,
“I have decided to follow Jesus.”
His two children were killed and in
response to threats to his wife, he
continued, “Though none go with
me, still I will follow.” His wife was
killed, and he was executed while
singing:’The cross before me,
the world behind me.’ This display
of faith is reported to have led to
the conversion of the chief and
others in the village. The fierce
opposition is possible, as various
tribes in that area were formerly
renowned for head-hunting.
The formation of these words into
a hymn is attributed to the Indian
missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh.
Lord, we purpose to Follow You:
Now it happened as they journeyed
on the road that someone said
to Him: Lord, I will follow You
wherever You go. And Jesus said:
Foxes have holes and the birds
of the air have nests, but the
Son of Man has nowhere to lay
His head. Then He said to another:
Follow me… And another said:
Lord, I will follow You, but let me
first go and bid farewell who are at
my house. But Jesus said to him:
No one having put his hand to the
plow, and looking back is fit for
the kingdom of God (Lk 9:57-62).
Lord Jesus, we realise there is a
high price, immediacy & priority
for discipleship, for You said:
The Son of Man has no place to
lay his head & Let the dead bury
their own dead, but you go and
proclaim the kingdom of God.’
Furthermore, discipleship requires
Single-mindedness for You said:
No one who puts his hand to
the plow and looks back is fit for
service in the kingdom of God.
Lord, forgive me when I’ve put my
own priorities in front of yours.
I may have treated you more
like a servant or an equal than
my King and Lord and Sovereign.
Forgive & have mercy upon me.
Please help me to answer when
you call and make no excuses.
And though my track record of
doing that maybe rather spotty,
I ask for your help and strength
to be a disciple you can count on.
And Lord, considering your loving
kindness and sacrificial love,
help us to truly say and sing:
The world behind me,
the cross before me;
Though none go with me,
still I will follow;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
For we’ve decided to follow You!!
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
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, no 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 back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.