Just As I Am
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!
Just As I Am
Charlotte was not happy. She had always been a lively person and even made a living writing humorous poetry. But now, at thirty-two years old and facing a debilitating handicap, happiness seemed far from her.
Rev. César Malan was visiting from Geneva when he noticed Charlotte’s unhappiness. He remarked that her rage and frustration could be quieted by placing her whole faith in God.
She responded in anger, but soon regretted her quick temper. Later, she found herself at his door—apologizing and asking how she could experience the happiness he had mentioned. She longed for God’s peace, yet felt she had nothing to offer Him in return.
“Just come as you are,” Malan said.
At last, she surrendered to Christ. She dedicated her life to Him, and her spirit was strengthened to write hymns. One evening, when her family had to leave her at home while they attended a benefit, she longed to go with them but was unable. Alone with her feelings of helplessness and self-doubt, she remembered Malan’s words.
Taking those words to heart, she wrote a hymn for others who struggled with the same fears—those who felt they had nothing worthy to bring to God.
Charlotte Elliott’s hymn, “Just As I Am,” would become one of the most beloved hymns of all time. It has been translated into nearly every language and has become a favorite at tent meetings and revivals around the world. It has been said that her hymn has “touched more hearts and influenced more people for Christ than any other song ever written.”
Thousands upon thousands of Christians have surrendered their lives to Christ while listening to the words penned by Charlotte Elliott—an invalid who understood, perhaps better than most, what it meant to come to Jesus “just as you are.”
https://youtu.be/yFB-mxSt9Cc?si=2DzPqYip0MjgE62s
JUST AS I AM
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!
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!
Just as I am—though toss’d about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
—O Lamb of God, I come!
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!
