I Have Decided

May 8, 2025

From Pastor Eileen States

God is at work! I recently had a conversation with a young student here at Carman Adventist school on how God is communicating with her about her life and future choices. I prayed with her that she would be open to allowing God’s Spirit to be poured over her life in order to be used for His kingdom purposes as He seeks to finish the work of preparing the world for His soon return. I pray He uses her! 

As I finish out a year of 22 Bible studies with our 4th - 8th graders, I am reminded that God is raising up an army of young people who are willing to make the commitment to follow Jesus no matter the cost. 

Recently I read the back story of the old hymn, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” and realized that each of us is faced with a decision every day. Our big and small choices are shaping us and preparing us for if and when our very lives may be called to surrender. Take a moment after reading this story to recommit your life to following Jesus to the very end. 

Enjoy the story below of I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

The words of this hymn are commonly thought to have been the last words of an Indian Christian who lived in the mid-1800s in the Assam region of India, who was martyred for his faith in Christ. When it was discovered that he and his family had converted to Christianity, the family was dragged into the village square, where the chief demanded that they renounce their faith in Jesus. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the father cried out in his native tongue, “I have decided to follow Jesus, and I will not turn back!” Even when the lives of his family were threatened, he said, “Though none go with me, still I will follow!” And when he was given one more opportunity to deny his faith even at the point of death, he proclaimed, “The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back.”

The man and his family were martyred for their faith in Christ, but their courage and commitment to Jesus sparked a revival in the village. 

The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago? There must be some remarkable power behind the family’s faith, and I too want to taste that faith.” In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

I have decided to follow Jesus - No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me  - No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow - No turning back, no turning back.