"Just As I Am"

I never thought I'd blog this hymn. I used to think of it as the hymn that would be played over and over until someone, anyone, would come forward to "rededicate" their life to Christ. The story behind this hymn was included in today's sermon and I now see the hymn with new eyes.

The hymn's author, Englishwoman Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871), was stricken at age 30 with a serious ailment that made her an invalid for the remainder of her life. She became bitter and depressed until she was visited by a well-known Swiss evangelist, Dr. Caesar Malan. The author of Amazing Grace (a book of the stories of hymns), Kenneth Osbeck, describes the scene this way:

Sensing her spiritual distress, [Malan] exclaimed, "Charlotte, you must come just as you are--a sinner--to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Immediately placing her complete trust in Christ's redemptive sacrifice for her, Charlotte experienced inner peace and joy in spite of her physical affliction until her death at the age of 82.

"Just As I Am"

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee--
O 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,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

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!

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yes, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!