So many meanings for this in the Kingdom of God. Right now we are in India and have seen more fruitfulness this year than ever in the making of disciple makers in places where Jesus is not yet known. Some disciple makers are reaching government housing projects in North Delhi, others are reaching villages in Gujarat and West Bengal.

There is much enthusiasm among young people who are courageously going out to share stories of Jesus with their friends and neighbors.

And yet there are more stories of suffering and persecution among our friends in many areas of India. Meetings being disrupted, people being beaten and imprisoned even in places where it didn’t used to happen.

So how can this be? Can the Kingdom of God be fruitful even in the midst of suffering?

Let’s take a look to see if this has happened in Bible times.

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Mark 10

So here we are looking at Jesus’ first disciples – Jesus told them that as they left their families for His sake and for the gospel, would receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

We will receive blessings and suffering in this life. It is true.

The Kingdom of God can be expanded along with persecutions in this life.

Well, we need to decide again – are we still willing to follow Him and go for it?

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
   Tho’ none go with me I still will follow,
   Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow;
   No turning back, no turning back.
3. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
   My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus,
   My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus;
   No turning back, No turning back.
4. The world behind me, the cross before me,
   The world behind me, the cross before me;
   The world behind me, the cross before me;
   No turning back, no turning back.

These are the words we sung as teenagers in the 70s and it’s still true today. Just found out it was written by an Indian,

Upon searching for the lyrics of this song, I discovered that it was written in India by a man whose family was being martyred in front of him in the 18th century. He was from the Garo tribe in the Northeast.

Oh my goodness! I just felt it is a song for this time as we face resistance to the Gospel around the world.

Go deeper: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_Decided_to_Follow_Jesus