Just As I Am: The Invitation of Grace
Opening Scripture
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
— John 6:37 (ESV)
Introduction
There’s a hymn that has been sung at thousands of revival meetings, altar calls, and quiet personal moments of surrender. Its words are simple, yet the message is timeless:
“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.”
This is the sound of a soul coming home.
This is the cry of the broken-hearted answering the call of a Savior who says, “Come to Me.”
No need to fix yourself first.
No need to clean yourself up.
Come as you are.
Just as you are.
God Loves Us Just As We Are
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8 (ESV)
This is the heart of the gospel. God didn’t wait for you to get your act together before He loved you. He loved you in your mess. He died for you in your rebellion.
The hymn doesn’t say, “Just as I will be when I’m good enough.” It says, “Just as I am.”
Modern Application:
You don’t have to wait until you’ve kicked the addiction, made amends with everyone, or memorized the Bible. Jesus loved you before you ever lifted your eyes to Heaven.
God Invites Us to Come to Him
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”
— Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)
God is not surprised by your sin. He already sees it. And He’s already made a way for it to be washed away. The invitation is not to hide your flaws—it’s to bring them into the light and let Jesus cleanse them.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”
— Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
The Savior stands knocking. He doesn’t force His way in. He calls. And when you open the door—just as you are—He enters with mercy.
The Power Is in the Blood of Jesus
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
— Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
Every verse of “Just As I Am” points us to the cross:
“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.”
It’s not your strength that cleanses you. It’s not your resolve that saves you.
It’s the blood of Jesus.
The same blood that flowed on Calvary still washes sinners clean today.
No stain is too deep. No guilt too great. No past too far gone.
Jesus Will Never Cast You Out
“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
— John 6:37 (ESV)
That’s the promise of Jesus.
Come in shame, and He will give you grace.
Come in weakness, and He will give you strength.
Come in sorrow, and He will give you comfort.
Come in bondage, and He will set you free.
He will not reject the heart that comes in faith.
Modern Application:
So many people feel unworthy to come to church, to pray, to even believe. But this hymn reminds us—Jesus never told us to get cleaned up before we come. He tells us to come so He can clean us up.
A Personal Response Is Required
Each verse ends with a declaration:
“O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
Salvation isn’t automatic.
Grace isn’t forced.
Jesus offers the invitation—but you must come.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Whether you’re a sinner in need of salvation or a weary saint who’s drifted from the path—He still says, “Come.”
Conclusion
“Just as I am, though tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within and fears without—
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!”
We all have our conflicts. We all have our fears. But Jesus invites us still.
The hymn is not merely a song of salvation—it is the anthem of every Christian life.
It’s how we begin.
It’s how we return.
And it’s how we stand before Him—clothed in grace.
Closing Prayer
Gracious Father,
We come to You just as we are—broken, flawed, and undeserving. But we come because You have called us. We come because Jesus’ blood was shed for us. We come because You are rich in mercy and full of grace.
Forgive our sins. Heal our wounds. Break our chains. And draw us close to Your heart.
Lord, help us to live not in shame or striving, but in the freedom of knowing that You have accepted us in Christ. Keep calling us back to You, and give us the courage to always say: “O Lamb of God, I come.”
In the name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.