Just As I Am by Charlotte Elliott, 1833.

Verse 1

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’ st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Observe: Naaman was the powerful commander of the army of Syria, and while he had won many victories, he had leprosy. Told the prophet in Israel could cure him, he took silver and gold and went. 

So Naaman came and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “It is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:9–14, ESV).

Naaman expected some special ritual or incantation by the prophet. But he was told to wash and simply believe. We often look to religious experiences to confirm our faith, but the only contribution we make to our salvation is our sin.

Verse 2 

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

It seems too simple. Is all I need to do is come to Christ? Yes, but, as yesterday’s Song taught, I am unable to come, for I am spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:1). The glory of the gospel is that the Father chose me; he makes me alive in Christ and draws me by the Spirit with his irresistible love. Suddenly have the overwhelming desire to come to Christ, and so I do.

Verse 3

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Paul writes, For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19). Although I constantly question my commitment, my Spirit-wrought faith cannot fail. As my new faith grows from that kernel, my rational mind may ask, “Can this be true?” But the tossing, conflicts, and doubt, both within and without, are answered by these words of Jesus. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:28–30).

Verse 4

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

The Father elects, the Son redeems, and the Spirit preserves. Salvation is their exclusive work for their sole glory. Our task is, in the power of the Spirit, to die to sin daily. We come ‘just as we are,’ but he promises to make us ‘just as he is.’

Blessings, Pastor Don.