How many of us say we are Christian, and that we believe, that we are committed, etc.? But, are we truly disciples of Jesus Christ? Dallas Willard writes in his book: ”The Spirit of the Disciplines”, “One may remain a Christian without any signs of progress toward or in discipleship. Contemporary American churches in particular do not require following Christ in his example, spirit, and teachings as a condition of membership-either of entering into or continuing in fellowship of a denomination or a local church. Any exception to this claim only serves to highlight its general validity and make the general rule more glaring. So far as the visible Christian institutions of our day are concerned, discipleship clearly is optional…Churches are filled with “undiscipled disciples,” as Jess Moody has called them. Most problems in contemporary churches can be explained by the fact that members have not yet decided to follow Christ.
You’ve probably heard the song “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” In it’s simplicity of lyrical content, it brings a powerful message of one man’s total devotion to Jesus Christ as he risked everything, even to the point of death. In the face of death, he was moved by the Holy Spirit, and instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:
I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times)
No turning back, no turning back.
Enraged at the refusal of the man to deny his faith, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
But the man sang these words in reply:
Though none go with me, still I will follow. (3 times)
No turning back, no turning back.
The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”
In the face of death the man sang the final memorable lines:
The cross before me, the world behind me. (3 times)
No turning back, no turning back.
He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place. 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 supernatural power behind the family, and I too want that supernatural power.”
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. This is the power of [God in] demonstration. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity.
Although this is a really extreme example, the cost of discipleship is not easy, but the cost of nondiscipleship is much greater! Willard states in his book that: “Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10). The correct perspective is to see following Christ not only as the necessity it is, but as the fulfillment of the highest possibilities and as life on the highest plane.
Hello! Who am I? I am a child of God, a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16). I am God's workmanship (handiwork), created (born anew) in Christ to do His work that He planned beforehand that I should do (Ephesians 2:10). And mostly, I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's people in His family (Ephesians 2:19).
With a joyful and thankful heart, I am grateful to be serving as the Worship/Communications Director at the church I have belonged to for the past 12 years (Peace Community Church in Frankfort, IL). It is an honor and joy to praise God and do all we can to advance His kingdom. What a joy and privilege to be a part of this community - where we can be in fellowship with one another, to hear God's Word proclaimed, to meet with God, to share our lives together - to be here for one another.
I have been blessed by a wonderful husband (28 years) and 4 children ranging in ages 27-14. Life is busy, but never too busy to put God first - to praise God, to glorify, honor and exalt, and to proclaim Him to the world! 
Your posts reflects much of the problems in our church’s today. Many sing the words of I Have Decided to Follow Jesus without truly committing to what they are singing. Our pastor often says that following Jesus costs us everything. To follow Him is to lay down our life to His Lordship. It reminds me of the passage about King David in 1 Chronicles 24 where he says that he will not sacrifice to the Lord a burnt offering that cost him nothing.
@dpierce – Great point! Good reference to King David…Even for myself, I still struggle with “am I doing enough?”
Thanks Dawn – great point!
Rhonda,
Wow! What an incredible story. I had no idea of the history behind that song. I definitely agree with this post. I know from going to youth group camps, everyone would return with a “spiritual high”, but after a week, the students would go back to their old habits. At a senior high camp I volunteered at last summer, the song, “I have decided to follow Jesus” was sung. In that moment, you could really feel the presence of the Lord in the room. I remember the Pastor saying to only sing those words if you were really committing to following Jesus Christ and turning from the sinful ways of the world.
Thank you for this post and God bless!
Polly
@plohrmann – thanks for your response and for your encouraging words! God bless you as well!