Often we remind people that Jesus loves them just the way they are, but does this help them to understand that change is needed? It’s true He loves us no matter what condition we are in, but that doesn’t mean we are to remain the same and continue on the same path… feeling that no matter what we do, He will understand and we are saved simply because we know He is there, loving us no matter what.
So, we know there is a God and that He is love. We’ve heard it over and over, so it has to be true, right? He loves us and accepts us just as we are, imperfect, but not a bad person. Surely when we die we will go to heaven and that will be the end of it, right?
Let’s take a look at the words from the hymn, Just As I Am…and the person who wrote it.
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee.
Oh, Lamb of God, I come! I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not,
to rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come! I come.
Just as I am. though tossed about,
with many a conflict, many a doubt
Fightings within, and fears without…
Oh, Lamb of God, I come! I come.
Just As I am, poor, wretched, blind.
Sight, riches, healing of the mind…
Yea, all I need in Thee to find…
Oh, Lamb of God, I come! I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve…
Because thy promise, I believe,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come! I come.
This hymn, used mostly as an altar call at the close of church services, was written in 1834 by Charlotte Elliott of Brighton, England. Ms Elliott was 45 years old at the time and had lived her life as an invalid. Feeling very useless and confined to bed while the rest of her family members were busy serving the Lord, she wrote the words defining her feelings about her Lord, her faith and the strength and power His promises brought.
Feeling useless and “without one plea,” she was reminded of God’s promises and the sacrifice Jesus made when He shed His own blood in payment for our sins…so that none of us should have to perish. His invitation was for everyone…Even though she was handicapped by her illness He found her worthy to serve. She wrote the words to this beloved hymn and all the proceeds were donated to the Lord’s work.
With fears and doubts, she had accepted His invitation. Feeling poor, wretched and blind, she believed His promise and knew that sight (understanding) riches (blessings) and healing of the mind…all she needed… pardon, cleansing, relief… was what she’d receive.
Just knowing God exists and feeling like we are doing our best is not enough to get us into heaven. There has to a personal encounter with God…a time when you humble yourself and realize that you cannot do it on your own…a time of reaching out and knowing He’s there, caring, inviting, ready to accept and forgive…His Spirit connecting with ours…that’s what salvation is.
The Bible tells us that simply believing in God is not enough. James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Just as you are right now, maybe you feel poor, wretched, blind, unfit for God’s kingdom. Or maybe you feel like you’re doing fine on your own; God is in Heaven and all is right with the world. All we need to do is look around and listen to realize this is not true.
Jesus is always there, loving us just the way we are… but not willing that we remain that way. He is ready to receive our call, to welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve our pain, forgive our sin…and change us into what He wants us to be: Loved, protected, confident in knowing that He is who He claims to be… and that He is able to keep all the promises found in His Word; Knowing that His goodness and mercy will follow us and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Amen