Throughout the history of Christianity, we have read and heard about powerful spiritual revivals that have marked entire generations. One of the most well-known is the Welsh Revival of 1904, a movement characterized by deep repentance, fervent prayer, and a renewed hunger for God’s presence. What is remarkable about such revivals is that their impact does not remain confined to one nation or culture. Instead, they often spread far beyond their place of origin, reaching even the most remote and unexpected regions of the world.
After the revival in Wales, reports began to emerge of its influence reaching distant lands, including eastern India. In that region lived a tribe known for its extreme violence and resistance to outsiders. The Gospel had rarely, if ever, penetrated such places, yet God’s purposes are never limited by geography, culture, or human hostility. It was there, in that unlikely setting, that the story of a man and his family would unfold—a story that would later inspire believers across the world.
This man, along with his family, somehow came to hear the message of the Gospel. We are not told exactly how the message reached them, but what is clear is that when they heard it, they believed it. They received Jesus Christ as their Savior, embracing a faith that was completely foreign to their culture and dangerous to their lives. Their conversion marked a radical change, not only in their beliefs, but in the way they lived.
Moved by their new faith, the man and his family began to share the message they had received with others in the tribe. This act of obedience, however, did not go unnoticed. The chief of the tribe, enraged by what he perceived as a threat to his authority and traditions, reacted with fury. Christianity was not merely a different belief system to him; it was an unacceptable disruption to the social and spiritual order he controlled.
In his anger, the chief ordered that the man and his family be dragged before the entire tribe. The scene was meant to intimidate, to crush any resistance, and to make an example of those who dared to follow Jesus. The chief’s demand was simple and brutal: “Stop following Jesus.” He believed that fear and violence would force submission.
Standing before the tribe, with his family beside him and death looming, the man responded with unwavering certainty: “No, I have decided to follow Jesus, I am not turning back.” These words, spoken in the face of imminent danger, revealed the depth of his faith. He understood that following Christ was not a temporary decision or a convenient choice, but a lifelong commitment—one worth any cost.
This response only intensified the chief’s rage. In a horrifying act of cruelty, he ordered the man’s children to be killed before his eyes. The intention was clear: to break his spirit, to force him to abandon his faith by inflicting unbearable pain. Yet even in that moment of unimaginable loss, the man did not renounce Christ.
Once again, the chief demanded that he stop following Jesus. With grief-stricken yet resolute words, the man replied: “Even if no one else follows me, I will follow Him. There is no turning back.” His faith was no longer just a personal conviction; it was a testimony proclaimed through suffering. At that moment, the chief ordered the man’s execution, declaring with finality: “Now you will stop following Jesus.”
No doubt, the chief believed that this was the end of the story. In his ignorance, he assumed that by killing the believer, he had silenced the message. Yet history—and Scripture—tell us otherwise. The blood of martyrs has never extinguished the Gospel; instead, it has often caused it to spread even further.
The Bible speaks directly to this reality, declaring:
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:25
The chief could take the man’s life, but he could not destroy his testimony. In fact, the courage and faith displayed in that moment deeply impacted others in the tribe. According to the story, the chief himself and many members of the tribe later came to faith in Christ, realizing that the man’s devotion was rooted in a truth stronger than fear or death.
The words spoken by this brave believer did not fade into history. Instead, they became the foundation for the well-known hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” For decades, this hymn has been sung around the world, often without many knowing the depth of sacrifice behind its lyrics. Each line reflects a faith that is resolute, uncompromising, and fully surrendered to Christ.
What do you think of this powerful story behind the hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”? Without a doubt, it should serve as a profound inspiration for all believers. It reminds us that our lives do not ultimately belong to this world, but to the God of heaven. Following Jesus may not always be easy, but it is always worth it—even if it demands everything.
May this testimony challenge and strengthen our faith. May it remind us that true discipleship involves commitment, courage, and a willingness to stand firm, no matter the cost. And may we, like that brave believer, be able to say with confidence: there is no turning back.