As a teen, I remember singing the song “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” I thought of my commitment to Jesus, but I did not realize the conditions under which the song was written.
“According to P. Job, the lyrics are based on the last words of Nokseng, a Garo man, a tribe from Meghalaya [India] which then was in Assam, who converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of an American Baptist missionary. He is said to have recited verses from the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of John as he and his family were killed. . . An American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed an arrangement.” Wikipedia
While the song, for us, focuses on our commitment, for the person who composed it, the song held a deeper meaning. Knowing the story behind the hymn is helpful; however, I love singing a song which I know is based on Scripture and makes me respond to the Word.
I recently heard the song “I Choose the Jesus Way,” and it made an impact on me. It’s a beautiful song; we sing of how we live, what we do, when we follow Jesus. As I sang, I thought of the Scripture that supported the words I sang. I wanted to share it with you. Here are my thoughts:
The Jesus Way
by Phil Wickham
If you curse me, then I will bless you
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:28
If you hurt me, I will forgive
“Forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13b
And if you hate me, then I will love you
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44
I choose the Jesus way
If you’re helpless, I will defend you
And if you’re burdened, I’ll share the weight
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
And if you’re hopeless, then let me show you
There’s hope in the Jesus way
“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18
I follow Jesus
I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure
He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
If you strike me, I will embrace you
“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.” Luke 6:29
And if you chain me, I’ll sing His praise
“Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. . . About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:24-35
And if you kill me, my home is heaven
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20
For I choose the Jesus way
I follow Jesus
“And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:29
I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” I Peter 2:24
“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26b
He is the treasure
He is the answer
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
And I choose surrender
I choose to love
Oh, God my Savior, You’ll always be enough
I choose forgiveness
I choose grace
I choose to worship, no matter what I face
I choose the Jesus way
Taking It Further:
Perhaps you thought of other verses. Please let us know those Scriptures. Will singing this song as you go through your day impact your behavior?
