Just As I Am……

In church today our pastor mentioned Charlotte Elliott. At first I could not place her; however her name sounded so familiar. Before I tell you who she is, this is if you already don't know, I want to tell you a bit about her first. Miss Elliott was born March 18, 1789, to Charles Elliott and Eling Venn in Clapham, England where she lived for 32 years. Miss Elliott was an invalid and often in misery. Her father was a Godly man and often entertained other servants of Christ in his home. One night Dr Cesar Malan, of Geneva came to visit. He asked Miss Elliott is she knew herself to be really a Christian. She told Dr. Malan that religion was something that she did not care to discuss. Dr. Malan replied that he did not want to displease her so he would not pursue the question but rather pray that she would give her heart to Christ and put to use the gifts that He had bestowed upon her. After several days Miss Elliott apologized to Dr Malan for her conduct and confessed to him that his question to her troubled her greatly. She went on further to say; "I am miserable, I want to be saved. I want to come to Jesus; but I don't know how". Dr Malan replied; "Why not come just as you are?"
"You have only to come to Him just as you are". Miss Elliott gave her life over to Christ and lived it abundantly. She also put to use that extraordinarily Gift that God had bestowed upon her. That talent that God gave her was writing she was a poet. One of her most famous poems which has become one of the most well know Hymns around the world.

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.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

 

"Just As I Am "that is how we are to come to Christ. We need noting more than to give ourselves to him. It doesn't matter if we are weak and broken, if we are full of shame, God loves us all and it doesn't matter what we have done just that we come to him. On a side note "Just As I Am" is a very dear song to me. It was the song sung when I was baptized, along with my grandmother, mother and sister.

 

Dr John Julian wrote this about Miss Elliott:

Though week and feeble in body, she possessed a strong imagination and a well-cultured and intellectual mind..... Her verse is characterized by tenderness of feeling, plaintive simpliciy, deep devotion, and perfect rhythm. For those in sickness and sorrow, she has sung as few others have done.