Just as I am

She was an embittered woman, Charlotte Elliot of Brighton, England.  Her health was broken, and her disability had hardened her. “If God loved me,” she muttered, “He would not have treated me this way.” Hoping to help her, a Swiss minister named Dr. Cesar Malan visited the Elliots on May 9th 1822. Over dinner, Charlotte lost her temper and railed against God and family in a violent outburst. Her embarrassed family left the room, and Dr. Malan, left alone with her, stared at her across the table. “You are tired of yourself, aren’t you?” he said at length. “You are holding on to your hate and anger because you have nothing else in the world to cling to. Consequently, you have become sour, bitter and resentful.” “What is your cure?” asked Charlotte. “The faith you are trying to despise.”

As they talked, Charlotte softened. “If I wanted to become a Christian and to share the peace and joy you possess,” she finally asked, “what would I do?” “You would give yourself to God just as you are now, with your fightings and fears, hates and loves, pride and shame.” “I would come to God just as I am? Is that right?” Charlotte did come just as she was. Her heart was changed that day. As time passed she found and claimed John 6:37 as a special verse for her. “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

Several years later, her brother, Rev. Henry Elliot, was raising funds for a school for the children of poor clergymen. Charlotte wrote a poem, and it was printed and sold across England. The leaflet said: Sold for the Benefit of St. Margaret’s Hall, Brighton: Him That Cometh to Me I Will In No Wise Cast Out. Underneath was Charlotte’s poem – which has since become the most famous invitational hymn in history:

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!

One of its seven verses says: 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. No better way for a man or woman to come to Christ than just as they are.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

- Pastor David Goudy