From Generation to Generation: Choosing to Follow Jesus Wholeheartedly

In our fast-paced, ever-changing world, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and lose sight of what truly matters. As families and individuals, we often find ourselves juggling numerous commitments, activities, and pursuits. But amidst this busyness, we must ask ourselves a crucial question: What are we truly devoted to?

The Bible tells us in Psalm 145 that "One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts." This verse highlights our responsibility to pass on our faith from one generation to the next. It's a call to action, reminding us that we are stewards of the gospel, entrusted with the task of nurturing the next generation to know and love the Lord.

But how do we fulfill this calling in a world full of distractions and competing priorities? The answer lies in making a decisive choice to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, removing every idol that competes for His place in our lives, and responding to the gospel with awe and devotion.

Making a Resolute Choice

In Joshua 24, we find a powerful moment where Joshua, the leader of God's people, draws a line in the sand. After years of wandering in the wilderness and conquering the Promised Land, the Israelites faced a critical juncture. Joshua knew the people's tendency to waver between serving God and being enticed by the gods of the surrounding cultures. In this pivotal moment, he challenged them:

"Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

This declaration resonates across the centuries, calling us to make the same resolute choice today. In a world that often encourages us to keep our options open and avoid commitment, Joshua's words remind us that following Jesus demands a decisive stance. We cannot straddle the fence, attempting to serve both God and the world. Jesus Himself said, "No one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24).

Making this choice means devoting ourselves to God's vision for our lives and families, rather than adopting the world's priorities. It means allowing God's Word to be the ultimate authority in our homes, informing every decision we make. And it means centering our lives around God's people – the local church – rather than treating it as just another activity among many.

Removing Competing Idols

Once we've made the choice to follow Jesus, we must actively work to remove anything that competes for His rightful place in our lives. Joshua instructed the Israelites to "put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14). While we may not have physical idols in our homes today, our modern world is full of sophisticated idols that can easily capture our devotion and affection.
These idols might include:

1. Money and possessions
2. Accomplishments and success
3. Sports and entertainment
4. Sex and sexuality
5. Even our children and family

Identifying and removing these idols is crucial if we want to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. It requires honest self-examination and a willingness to reorder our priorities. We must ask ourselves: What consumes our thoughts, time, and resources? What do we look to for satisfaction and identity apart from Christ?

Responding to the Gospel with Awe and Devotion

The foundation for our commitment to follow Jesus lies in a proper understanding and response to the gospel. Before calling the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, Joshua reminded them of God's gracious acts throughout their history. He recounted how God had called Abraham, delivered them from Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and given them victory in the Promised Land.

In the same way, we must continually remind ourselves of the incredible grace and mercy God has shown us through Jesus Christ. He left the glory of heaven, took on human flesh, lived the perfect life we couldn't live, died the death we deserved, and rose again victorious over sin and death. Through faith in Him, we receive forgiveness, new life, and the promise of eternity with God.

When we truly grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us, our only appropriate response is awe and wholehearted devotion. We cannot look at the cross and then tell Jesus He's asking too much of us.

This truth is powerfully illustrated in the story behind the hymn "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." In the late 1800s, a missionary brought the gospel to a tribe in northeastern India known for headhunting. One man and his family embraced Christ and began sharing the good news with others. Enraged, the village chief demanded they renounce their faith or face death.

Standing before his tribe, with unwavering resolve, the man declared, "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back." Even as his sons were killed before his eyes, he maintained, "Though none go with me, still I will follow." When his wife was murdered, his final words were, "The cross before me, the world behind me."

This man and his family paid the ultimate price for their faith, but their steadfast commitment led to the entire village, including the chief, eventually turning to Christ. Their story, immortalized in song, has inspired millions to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

While most of us may never face such extreme persecution, we are called to the same level of devotion. The real tragedy is not martyrdom for Christ, but rather knowing the gospel yet never truly prioritizing Jesus in our homes and lives. It's living with one foot in the church and one in the world, accumulating worldly success and memories, but never experiencing the thrill of seeing God's power unleashed in our families.

Today, we stand at a crossroads much like the Israelites did with Joshua. We must choose whom we will serve. Will we continue to juggle worldly priorities and cultural expectations, or will we make a line-in-the-sand commitment to follow Jesus with our whole hearts? Will we actively work to remove competing idols from our lives and center everything around Christ and His church?

The choice is ours. May we, like Joshua, boldly declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." And may our unwavering commitment to Christ inspire the next generation to do the same, ensuring that the faith is passed on from generation to generation.