JUST AS I AM

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

I’m sure there isn’t much redeeming cultural value to the television show “American Idol.” If you have never seen the program, it’s basically a televised audition for those desiring to aspire to the position of pop song singer of idolized status. On the show are excerpts of thousands of auditions by those who believe they have talent. Unfortunately most do not have adequate abilities in singing and that is what I believe the attraction is for people to watch such a show initially. Yes, there are actually people who can sing very well and the second half of the series covers how these individuals compete for the top prize. People love to pick their favorite singers who they hope will win, but in the early stages of the program I believe the motivation to watch such a production is for other reasons.

 

My wife and I casually watch “American Idol” when it comes on for the entertainment value. Several seasons ago I witnessed on the show a most important learning experience for one young man. This man came to his audition faking a Jamaican accent, wearing shorts, a tank top and a wig with long black dreadlocks. The snickering judges told him to proceed with his audition song. He began to sing in a somewhat off-key voice, a reggae-like rap of a song he had composed. Whether he was a good singer or not could not be determined for numerous reasons, but possibly the main one was that he was not presenting himself in a truthful light. Everything about him was false. Needless to say, the judges stated he had no chance of succeeding and sent him on his way. In a short revealing interview afterwards he confessed with tearful eyes that he had made a mistake. He realized that falsely representing himself with a gimmick to the judges had foiled his chances of acceptance. It was a very honest evaluation of the decisions he had made and I couldn’t help but verbally encourage him from my sofa as I lay there feeling compassion for the young man. He had grasped what many people never do, that honesty is the best policy.

 

Now you may be wondering why I am rambling on about “American Idol” and a fake Jamaican singer. I believe there is something you and I can learn from this young man’s experience.

 

In our relationship with Jesus Christ are we honest and transparent or do we play games and misrepresent ourselves? Although we know in our mind that God knows everything and we can’t hide anything from Him, I wonder how much we attempt to conceal from Him. Do you or I attend church to show others that we really are Disciples of Christ? Do we play Christian? Do we try to be a good-doer outwardly when inwardly we harbor sin? Do we come to God “just as we are” on a regular basis? Are we honest with God and ourselves? Let me illustrate my point with an example.

 

In 1789 a young girl was born in Clapham, England. Her name was Charlotte Elliott. She lived a carefree life, gaining popularity as a portrait artist and writer of humorous verse. Unfortunately when she was 30 her health began to fail. She became despondent and depressed from having such a poor health condition at a young age. Fortunately God was at work for a traveling evangelist visited her as he was passing through her town and witnessed to her. He shared that though she was bedridden and felt worthless, Christ still loved and valued her deeply. He challenged her with the statement, “You must come just as you are, a sinner, to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” Overwhelmed with the realization that Christ would accept her just as she was, an invalid and frail in health, she accepted Christ as her Savior.

 

Moved by this man’s witness and the influence of the Holy Spirit Charlotte came to Christ. The Holy Spirit motivated her to use her creative talents to write songs that would bring glory to God through worship and singing. She never forgot the message shared with her by the evangelist and fourteen years after accepting Christ she wrote the hymn “Just As I Am” to commemorate her spiritual birthday.

 

Charlotte’s brother at the time was building a school for the children of poor pastors and there was a huge financial need. Charlotte donated much of the proceeds from the sale of “Just As I Am” to the construction of this school. Amazingly the money raised by her song generated more funds than any other efforts by those attempting to raise money for this school.

 

Here a lady who thought she was worthless came to the realization that she had great worth to the God of the universe and could accomplish great things from her bed if she would let God lead and guide her. Though Charlotte was greatly used by God in hymn writing she never regained her health but still wrote over 150 hymns for the glory of her Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

 

Charlotte’s example shows us what can happen in a person’s life when they honestly come to Christ, just as they are. When we accept the will of God and turn over our life to Him, great things can be accomplished. While we can achieve prestige, money, possessions and earthly honor in this life…without Christ these are only hay and stubble. Those things that last and have eternal heavenly value are those actions that come from a heart bowing to the will of God as we seek to come to God, just as we are.

 

There are numerous examples of individuals who came to God, just as they were. The thief on the cross who was crucified with Christ came just as he was (Luke 23:40-43). He had no chance to serve in a ministry, lead others to Christ or to preach the gospel, but God accepted him just the same. He had worth to God because he was a lost human soul. His example tells us that our path to heaven is not made possible by doing good deeds and service but is provided to us as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Those actions of love and ministry we perform are simply proof of our salvation in Christ not the substance of it.

 

Zacchaeus (Luke 19) is another example in scripture of someone who had a searching heart for salvation. He came to Jesus, just as he was, to listen to the teachings of Jesus. When he came to saving faith he was convicted of his previous actions and sought to serve Christ by giving back those funds he had stolen from others as a tax-gatherer. Here was a man who had been greedy and selfish and took advantage of his position in society to rob people of their hard-earned money. When he came to Jesus, his eyes were opened and he took action to make the wrongs he had done right. This is what happens when we come to Christ, just as we are. Our lives are exposed for what they are. The motivations of our minds and hearts are revealed. But Jesus doesn’t just leave us there. He gives us the strength and power through the Holy Spirit to change and make right the wrongs we have done. He grants us forgiveness for our sins and proceeds to make us new creatures.

 

The song “Just As I Am” is used by Billy Graham during altar calls at his crusades. It is a very appropriate use for such a song for it typifies the hearts of those who desire to come to Christ for salvation.

 

The first words of each verse of the hymn are very revealing. Verse 1 goes, “Just as I am, without one plea” indicating a submissive heart waiting on God’s response. Verse 2 says, “Just as I am and waiting not” indicates there is no waiting for cleansing of sin, it’s IMMEDIATE! Verse 3 states, “Just as I am tho tossed about” illustrating that we often come to Jesus in the turmoil of life. Verse 4 says, “Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind” describes our sinful condition when we bow to our Savior. Verse 5 goes, “Just as I am, Thou wilt receive” communicating that the overwhelming acceptance we receive when we come to Christ. Each verse ends with the wonderful humble statement, “O Lamb of God I come, I Come.” Has this been your experience with Jesus? Do you come to Jesus each day, “Just as you are?”

 

When we stand before the Lord at the end of time and wait to receive our just rewards, will we come just as we are? When Christ judges us, we will have no choice in the matter for God knows our hearts. The only hope we have of avoiding condemning judgment is to come to Jesus now, just as we are. The only hope we have in our lives right now of having fulfillment and lasting joy is to come to Jesus, just as we are. If you come to Jesus “Just as you are” you are able to come to those around you “Just as you are” and minister the love of God to them. People will respond to the gospel if you honest in your testimony of who you are in Christ Jesus.

 

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.”

 

 

JUST AS I AM

Author: Charlotte Elliott (1835)

 

Lyrics

Just as I am, without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee

Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come

 

Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt

Fighting and fears within without

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

 

Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come

Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come

Oh lamb of God, I come

Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come

Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come