Just As I Am, Without One Plea (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 592)
1 Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that though bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Just as I am; thy love unknown has broken ev’ry barrier down; now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Text: Charlotte Elliot; Music: William B. Bradbury; Public Domain
Devotion
Rather than reading this devotion, you might make better use of your time by reading this hymn ten times, even memorizing it, and repeating it during your daily duties. Anything that I write has the potential to denigrate the simple yearning of the penitent this hymn inspires. However, I am obligated to write; you are not obligated to read. Rather our humble cry is all about submission. That was the only requirement of our “first parents” in the Garden of Eden. Regrettably, desire crushed submission. The consequence was lethal. Joyfully, God opened again the opportunity of submission by providing a promise of grace. Submit to the promise that your sins, euphemistically called failings, are forgiven. Our only need is to submit, “just as I am,” and just as you are.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for the promise of grace and mercy that calls us to come to you just as we are, and be assured that we are accepted, through the grace and mercy demonstrated most clearly in the suffering and death of your beloved Son, Jesus. Amen.