Just as we are...

"Miss Charlotte Elliott was visiting some friends in the West End of London, and there met the eminent minister, César Malan. While seated at supper, the minister said he hoped that she was a Christian. She took offense at this, and replied that she would rather not discuss that question. Dr. Malan said that he was sorry if had offended her, that he always liked to speak a word for his Master, and that he hoped that the young lady would some day become a worker for Christ.

When they met again at the home of a mutual friend, three weeks later, Miss Elliott told the minister that ever since he had spoken to her she had been trying to find her Saviour, and that she now wished him to tell her how to come to Christ. "Just come to him as you are," Dr. Malan said. This she did, and went away rejoicing. Shortly afterward she wrote this hymn." -Ira Sankey

 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. 

 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, though tossed about 
 with many a conflict, many a doubt, 
 fightings and fears within, without, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, 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, 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, yea thine alone, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

I have to say, I used to really hate this hymn. It was one of those songs that would make me cringe when it started playing, and the verses seemed to drag on, and on, and on...

Then I bought a GLAD album. GLAD takes old hymns and rewrites the melodies and does breathtaking a capella arrangements of them. One of the songs on the album was "Just As I Am." I skipped it.

The next time I put the cd in I skipped it again.

Then one day I had it in and wasn't within reach of the player and let it go. That day I fell in love with the lyrics. 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. I couldn't tell you how many times I've listened to it since, but I can tell you that EVERY time I listen to it I love it more.




Charlotte Elliott. A broken, depressed, wreck of a girl. Won by perfect love to become an instrument of endless grace.

~Joanna Renae