“Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
“Just as I am” was written by Charlotte Elliott in 1834. She was the daughter of a minister and had become disabled early in her life. As bouts of depression engulfed her every so often over her condition, she clung to her faith. This simple hymn was a reminder from a Christian friend to “Come to Christ as you are.”
Growing up, the Pastor at my Church in Leesburg Florida, Charles Roesel, had this hymn played at every Church service. It was an invitation to come to Jesus, just as you are, faults and all. It was a weekly reminder that no matter who we are, no matter what we have done, no matter how unworthy we may believe we are, Jesus has his arms open wide, ready to love us into his family, if only we will let him.
I have often wondered why so many turn away or out-right reject the unconditional love that Jesus Christ offers us. Such a love is so pure, so easy, yet so many cannot or will not believe it is meant for them.
As we left Church on Sunday, I said to my wife Dee Dee, “I guess it’s not so hard to understand in the context of today’s culture.” Society tells us, we don’t wear the right clothes. We don’t have the latest haircut. We drive the wrong car, or our house is too small and on the wrong side of town. We went to the wrong school, or don’t go to all the best parties. Society is constantly telling us what to do, then as soon as we do it, society decides it is time for something new.
That kind of pressure is hard to keep up with and if you get caught up in it, it can leave you feeling inadequate. Additionally, so many are from homes where the parents are divorced, and the kids are left to wonder if it may have been their fault. Worse, many children grow up without ever knowing who one of their parents is. That kind of pressure can be devastating to an individual.
I guess it makes sense that so many would find it hard to accept that the Creator of the Universe could love them, unconditionally, and all they had to do was accept this love. With so much of our society sending all the wrong messages that tells us, we don’t measure up, accepting that Jesus Christ will accept you just as you are may be hard to comprehend.
“Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood, was shed for me.” Just as I am, four incredibly powerful words. It doesn’t matter if you face addiction. It doesn’t matter if you have been divorced. It doesn’t matter if you have broken the law. It doesn’t matter if you are an alcoholic. None of it matters, all Jesus wants is you, just as you are.
About two thousand years ago, Jesus was nailed to a cross and accepted every misstep we have ever made, paying the price for our mistakes and in turn, forgiving our mistakes, our sin, just for the asking. He died a gruesome, humiliating death so that he could demonstrate for all to see, just how much he loved us all.
The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace, not by works. It simply means that spending eternity with Jesus is possible because of his sacrifice on the Cross, not because we get “good enough.”
Thankfully for all of us, the standard for entrance into Heaven is not us getting “good enough,” it is forgiveness, it is mercy, it is love. It is the acceptance of the unconditional love that Jesus has for you and that you now have a personal relationship with him as your Lord and Savior.
About two thousand years ago, those who loved Jesus at that time watched him die on a cross. They were devastated. They had lost their Teacher, Brother, Son, Friend and Messiah. They did not know in that moment what we know.
Three days later, Jesus arose, resurrected from death and began the biggest movement the world has ever known. Today, there are 2.4 billion Christians worldwide. They have all accepted the unconditional love that is offered by Jesus to everyone who have ever lived.
They understand that “Just as I am” is exactly how Jesus wants us. No pretense, no conditions, just his eternal and everlasting love, given to all who seek it.
Let me be clear about one thing. When you choose to love Jesus and begin a personal relationship with him, it does not mean your life suddenly becomes perfect, that you will no longer face adversity and hardship.
It simply means two things. When the stormy seas blow hard into our life, Jesus will be your anchor and help you navigate through the trial you are facing. It also means that you will one day live with him, perfectly, without trials, adversity, illness or loss, for eternity.
As a song we sing in Church says … Oh what a Savior … Isn’t He wonderful …
He is risen and his arms are open wide for you. Jesus is calling for you.
Just take a step toward Jesus and he will do the rest.
Ray Richardson is the host of the Ray Richardson Show on WLOB Radio. He has authored three books, written a newspaper column for over a decade and is a contributor to Richardson Magazine.
Ray lives with his wife of 34 years, Dee Dee, in Westbrook Maine. They have four grown children (8 when you count the spouses), and blessed with one granddaughter.
