Many of us grew up singing a little chorus of commitment that said, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, I have decided to follow Jesus. In response to threats to his family, he continued, Though no one joins 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 formation of these words into a hymn is attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh.The melody is also Indian, and entitled Assam after the region where the text originated. The fierce opposition is possible as various tribes in that area were formerly renowned for head-hunting. An American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed an arrangement which was included in the 1959 Assembly Songbook. His version became a regular feature of Billy Grahams evangelistic meetings in America and elsewhere, spreading its popularity. As pressure mounts on Christians in the West and around the world, we need to remind ourselves of this simple song. We must continue to live in righteousness for God even if we’re the only ones we know doing so. We must say: “The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back, no turning back.”
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:49:23 +0000
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