Saturday, November 21, 2015

Have You Decided that You Want to Follow Jesus in your life yet?


The following is the lyrics to a very popular Christian hymn named "I have decided to follow Jesus" It is a simple song but yet it has so much meaning.

Enjoy:

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

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

My cross I will carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I will 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. 



Hymn History Information quoted and based on Wikipedia:

"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 Graham's evangelistic meetings in America and elsewhere, spreading its popularity.
Due to the lyrics' explicit focus on the believer's own commitment, the hymn is cited as a prime example of decision theology, emphasising the human response rather than the action of God in giving faith.This has led to its exclusion from some hymnals.A Lutheran writer noted, "It definitely has a different meaning when we sing it than it did for the person who composed it."

3 comments :

  1. This is so inspiring. To learn about the history of our hymns which have stood the test of time, is meaningful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rapture15 for your encouraging feedback.

      Delete