I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Thursday, October 21, 2021 by Melissa McLaughlin

Alone

The accident should have taken my life. As each ominous moment unfolded, I called on the only name that can save. Jesus.

I was alone in the car. Alone to witness what should have been my last breath. Alone to experience a miraculous rescue by God. Alone in the aftermath of crushed metal and shattered glass. Alone to thank God for granting me another day of life.

Though my life was spared that day, there is a day coming when each one of us will take our last breath. And every one of us will stand before God. Alone.

Jesus and the Bible

In recent years, the journey of faith in Christ has become an uphill battle for many followers of Jesus. Countless churches, pastors and teachers, who once believed the unchanging truth of the Bible, have decided to follow the world’s fleeting opinions instead. Leaving the Rock of ages to walk on shifting sand. Discarding God’s divinely created order to suit earthly desires.

Many say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t agree with the Bible.”

I wonder, how can we believe in Jesus, but not believe His Word?

If you told a friend, “I believe in you, I just don’t believe what you say,” how would that be received?

When we meet Jesus, what will He say?

Understanding God and His Word

The study of God’s Word, the Bible, should be based on our relationship to and dependence upon God. When we do not agree with or understand His Word, we should approach our reading of the Bible with a humble heart and a desire to know God better, in all His fullness and deity.

He is the Creator. He is holy. He is eternal. He is God. And we are not. So, He sets the terms.

Thankfully, God not only made us, but He also loves us and sent His Son to shed His blood on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins and purifying us for heaven. He has done it all. His justice stands. His mercy saves.

Still each person must choose to receive Christ as Savior and LORD by faith, for himself or herself. God will not force Himself on anyone.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Although I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, by God’s grace, as a young college student I became fully convinced of the truth of the Bible. I have decided to follow Jesus ever since. Not for my family. But for myself.

A Few Reasons I Follow Jesus

Jesus is the Word. The Living Word of God.

John 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Jesus is God.

John 8:58 – Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

That means, Jesus is “I AM”, Yahweh, the Eternal God. As part of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) Jesus directed the writing of the Bible from beginning to end.

The Scriptures are the Spoken Word of God.

Matthew 4:4 – But He [Jesus] answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 in this statement.

Jesus believed the scriptures. So I will, too.

God’s Word is TRUTH.

Psalm 119:160 – The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Psalm 119:89 – Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.

John 17:17 – Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.

Truth is seen by all in His Creation

Romans 1:18-20 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Psalm 19:1-4 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Jesus is the TRUTH.

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is Savior AND Judge.

The reason we need a Savior is because one day soon we will meet a Judge. God is holy, pure and perfect. Nothing unholy can remain in His presence or God’s absolute goodness would be compromised. The blood of Jesus atones for our sin and we receive His righteousness by faith.

In Christ, justice is upheld and mercy is extended for all who will humble themselves and accept the offer.

Clearly, Jesus came the first time as Savior because next time, we will meet Him as Judge.

Hebrews 9:27 – And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

John 3:16-21 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Jesus gave me life and Jesus will meet me at the end of my life.

Revelation 22:12-19 – “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Jesus is:

The Word
“I AM” – Yahweh, LORD, Eternal God
His Word is Truth
Truth is Seen in His Creation
The Way, The Truth, The Life
The Savior – Messiah, Christ
The Judge
The Alpha and Omega
And so much more!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Recently, I was feeling discouraged about all who have departed from the truth of the Bible. I began to pray and express my sorrow to the Lord. This song came to mind, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” I believe the Holy Spirit was encouraging me with these lyrics, for the song continues…

“Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back.”

Gratefully, there are still some to walk with us as we follow Christ and His Word, the Bible.

In the end, however, each person must choose to accept or reject Jesus Christ as LORD of their lives and LORD of the truth He revealed in His Word. And on that Day, every one of us will stand alone before Him to give an account for the choice we have made.

I have chosen God’s mercy through Christ. I have decided to follow Jesus. Won’t you join me?

Additional Resources:

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus – Song Lyrics

By S. Sundar Singh

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.

My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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