Just as I am (Hymn)

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Jul 25, 2001

Lutheran hymnody is rich in history, variety, and doctrine. It is the musical catechism! With hymns Lutherans have expressed, taught, and learned their faith.

An important lesson, which "Just as I Am" teaches, is that Jesus comes to us and seeks us out "just as we are." The epistle writer said it best when he wrote, "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us."

Often when I canvass or make evangelism calls, people say, "Oh, I'm not ready for the Lord yet. There's too much in my life I need to fix up." People in our recovery program, when they relapse, will avoid coming to church. When they return, we welcome them with open arms and seek to assist them in their on-going recovery. There is a principle and a doctrine at work here. It is God who created us and it is God who creates faith in our hearts. It is also God who creates a new life within us here on earth and re-creates us for eternal life!

Please read the following piece on how "Just as I Am" was written.

~john

An elderly man asked Charlotte Elliott if she were a Christian; she felt insulted, and told him to mind his own affairs. But after the man left, she could not get the question off her mind, and she went back to ask the man how to find Christ. He told her to come just as she was. She did, and wrote the beautiful song, "Just As I Am." - By B. A. Scherr

JUST AS I AM
By Charlotte Elliott

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.

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.

3.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken ev'ry barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4.
Just as I am, tho' tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind-
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find-
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

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The copyright of the article Just as I am (Hymn) in Lutheranism is owned by John L. Hoh, Jr.. Permission to republish Just as I am (Hymn) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.