The personal pronoun of “I”

The personal pronoun of “I”

There is a song that I have loved for a very long time.  I would sing it at times when alone.  Oft times I would sing it in church with a host of others in the congregation.  By the end of this blog you will know what song I am talking about.

Lets start with the first word of the title of this song, “I.”  That little one letter word has gotten lots of bad press.  Sure, the over use of it may be in a braggadocios sense.  However, our frame of reference is unique to us.   Therefor we use the pronoun, “I” to signify that what follows comes from that very personal unique perspective we each have.  “I” cannot stand alone. 

We now proceed to the next two words that give action to the first word.  “I” must do something, right?  The next two words are “have decided.”  Did you know that no one could decide anything for you?  Oh, they may think they do but you have to decide whether or not to go along with it.  An old illustration I have heard about a belligerent little boy.  The boy’s father told him to sit.  Well, he didn’t want to sit.  After much lecturing and loud speech the boy at last sat down.  To that he said, “I may be sitting on the outside but inside I am still standing.” 

“I have decided.”  Your day, your week, your life and your eternity all start with what you decide.

Now we proceed to two more words, “to follow.”  Many times in the Bible we are compared to sheep.  An odd thing about sheep is their tendency to follow each other around.  We do the same thing.  Yes, we do.  We follow the latest trends, fashions, music or even popular food.  Who is your favorite singer?  Who is your favorite author?  What TV show do you follow?  You have decided to follow. 

Ken Davis, a Christian comedian tells stories about growing up on a sheep farm.  He said that one day several sheep followed another sheep right over a cliff and they all died.  They do that.  How many have chosen to follow leaders that will only lead them to death?  History is full of examples from Jim Jones to Marshall Applewhite to Adolph Hitler.  There are many roads that lead to destruction and there are plenty willing to lead anyone in that way.  Bon Scott, the lead singer of AC/DC bellowed out a song entitled, “Highway to Hell.”  That song was certified platinum something like seven times.  Bon Scott died Feb 19 1980.  The original release of that song was 27 July 1979.  Whom did he follow?  Who is he leading?  How many will go on merrily into the abyss with this song as their anthem?

The last word of the phrase is the name “Jesus.”  I have decided to follow Jesus.  Did you know that your eternity is decided in whom you decide to follow?  John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:16-18English Standard Version (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Have you decided to follow Jesus?